  It is with the greatest pride that the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust (the Hospital Trust) announce and congratulate Chief Executive Officer, Ms Sibongile Mkhabela, on her achievement of an honorary doctorate conferred by the Nelson Mandela University (NMU). Ms Mkhabela stands with four remarkable South Africans who were honoured by the university during a ceremony held on 5 April 2019, namely, cleric and civil servant Reverend Frank Chikane; businesswoman and president of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa) Dr Vuyo Mahlati and specialist family physician and Independent Practitioners Association (IPA) Foundation chairman Professor Morgan Chetty. A social activist among the 11 student leaders arrested in connection with the 1976 student uprisings, Ms Mkhabela was recognised for her life’s work and contribution to advancing social justice. Ms Mkhabela has been among South Africa’s own champions, leading policy and practice related to children and the advancement of their rights, serving the first democratically elected government as Director in the Office of then-Deputy President Mbeki. In this role, Ms Mkhabela was responsible for programming with specific reference to civil society-government partnerships as well as overseeing the implementation of The UN Children’s Charter. At the helm of Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Fund) and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust (Trust), Mkhabela focuses her efforts on building independent and self- sustaining African institutions, working cohesively to put the rights and their wellbeing of children first. NMU honoured Ms Mkhabela for her role, amongst others, in leading policy development in South Africa and the establishment of a dedicated children’s hospital in South Africa through one of the largest capital campaigns to be driven by civil society in the country. A dream of former president Mr Nelson Mandela, and only the second dedicated hospital for children in the region, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital is a flagship project of the Fund and serves as specialised paediatric facility aimed at improving the quality of paediatric care, research and training in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ms Mkhabela is also the recipient of The National Order of Luthuli (Silver), awarded by the President of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018, in recognition of her fight against apartheid and advocacy for children and African societies. An honour of this level serves as recognition of the journey, advocacy impact and calibre of leadership of both the Fund and the Hospital Trust, further profiling our organisations and encouraging our supporters across the globe. We therefore congratulate Ms Mkhabela on this achievement and due acclamation. _________________________________________________________________________ Jointly Issued by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust http://video.mandela.ac.za/html5/player.php?vidid=grad2019-session03
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The Graça Machel Trust, (GMT), the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, (NMCF) and the Foundation for Community Development (FDC) are greatly concerned about the unfolding effects of Cyclone Idai across parts of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The increasing death toll and numbers of women and children uncounted for is extremely worrisome. The devastation has left communities homeless, unsafe, without food, emergency healthcare and other essential services.
This magnitude of the disaster is immense for the three affected countries to handle alone. In situations where natural disasters adversely impact on human life, the vulnerability of children and women is heightened most. So far, the cyclone has claimed thousands of lives in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and over 7,000,000 people have been directly affected in the whole region. We therefore jointly rally behind an intensified call to action to save lives and meet the immediate needs of affected communities! Under the leadership of Mrs. Graça Machel, GMT, NMCF and FDC have joined forces to mobilize resources to contribute to the emergency relief effort as well as the rebuilding of the lives of children, women, communities that have been devastated by Cyclone Idai. We make a special appeal to the local, regional and international partners to contribute to our efforts in cash or in kind. Donations can be done through the following channels: Account Name: Graca Machel Trust Bank Address: Standard Bank Place, 1st Floor, Corner 10th & Rivonia Road, Johannesburg 2128, South Africa. Account Number: 223662542 Swift Code: SBZA ZA JJ Branch Code: 051001 OR Account Name: FDC Cyclone Idai Standard Bank- MZN (Local Currency Account): 1184233071088 NIB: 000301180423307108821 Swift Code: SBICMZMX Account Name: FDC Cyclone Idai Standard Bank - USD: 1184233071096 NIB: 000301180423307109694 Swift Code: SBICMZMX For further information on how you can help, please contact the following: Hernani Sevene Foundation for Community Development Phone: + 258 84 301 3199 E-mail: hsevene@fdc.org.mz Richard Montsho Graça Machel Trust Phone: +27 83 340 8976 E-mail: RichardM@gracamacheltrust.org Eunice Motsepa Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Phone: + 27 (0)11 274 5600 E-mail: eunicem@nmcf.co.za To arrange for drop please contact: Gwadamirai Majange Graça Machel Trust Phone: +27 66 486 5178 E-mail: GwadamiraiM@gracamacheltrust.org Drop Off Address Nelson Mandela Foundation 107 Central St, Houghton Estate Johannesburg, 2198 South Africa. About the Partners The Graça Machel Trust (GMT) is a Pan-African organization which advocates for the rights and dignity of women and children; focused on child health and nutrition, education--especially girls’ education, women’s economic and leadership advancement, as well as good governance The FDC is a civil organization with no party affiliation, which aims to bring together forces from all sectors of society to achieve an ideal of development, democracy and social justice. FDC aims to empower communities to overcome poverty and advocate for social justice, and it targets women, the youth and children as primary subjects of change and development. The vision of Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) is to change the way society treats its children and the youth with the following focus areas: Child Survival and Development, Child Safety and Protection, and Youth Leadership. Kindly note that the list of the required priority list and services is attached to this statement as Annexure One. The bank details is also attached to this statement as Annexure Two. We thank you in advance for your donation and support! Annexure One: List of priority items for the affected communities - Dignity packs for women and girls (sanitary pads, toothpaste & toothbrushes) - Children’s Diapers - Children’s Toys and books - Blankets - Clothing - Food stuffs; non-perishable - Detergents - Mosquito nets - Family tents - Kitchen utensils - Water tanks - Chlorine - Mobile toilets - Reconstruction materials (cement, zinc sheets, iron bars, wood, nails masons kits, carpentry kits, etc) List of Services for Affected Communities - Psychosocial Support for Children - Trauma counselling for affected - Non - Formal Education interventions - Child Friendly corners and spaces From 2011 to 2013 the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) and the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities came together to create a platform where children could raise their issues. This platform was then known as the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament. When the ministry was dissolved, the Fund together with the National Department of Social Development and Save the Children South Africa collaborated and continued with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament (NMCP).
Each year, children representatives from all provincial districts attend the children’s parliament, where they elect their peers to become ambassadors to serve for a year and represent their respective provinces. In addition to this, the ambassadors elect a speaker and a president that will preside over the proceedings. Over the years’ children have presented their declaration to government and leaders of civil society on issues that affect them with little response to their concerns. As a result, the provincial ambassadors, speakers, presidents and Efeng Bacha (the Fund’s advisory committee which is made up of children & you), have come together to develop the 1st South African Children Manifesto. The manifesto is a call to all political parties, government at all levels, private sector, Chapter 9 institutions, labour movements, State Owned enterprises and Broader Civil Society Organisations to engage, adopt, commit and implement the priorities of the South African Children’s Manifesto. The Children’s Manifesto is a response to the President’s call in his 2019 SONA that stated “Our programmes must be measured, first and foremost, by the impact they have on our children. Though they constitute a third of our population, though they hold within their hands the future of our nation, the voice of our children is seldom heard.” They cannot vote, they do not set policy, and are therefore easily ignored. Yet their interests must be placed at the forefront of our policies as future leaders of this country. The children will present to political parties and government issues pertaining the four pillars of section 28 of the South African Constitution, UNCRC, ACRWC, international, regional and domestic legislative instruments - Child Protection - Child Development - Child Survival - Child Participation Guest Speakers Include: Angie Makwetla: Human Rights Commissioner Sibongile Mkhabela: CEO – Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Theo van Westhuizen – 2017 Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament President Venue: Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (Seminar Room) 6 Jubilee Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 Date: 16 March 2019 Time: 10:00 – 12:00 Media Enquiries: Tsietsi Lakajoe Mobile: 079 109 4093 Office: +27 (0)11 274 5624 Email: TsietsiL@nmcf.co.za Kagiso Bonoko Mobile: 079 768 8070 Office: +27 (0)11 274 5624 Email: KagisoB@nmcf.co.za  The theme for the 2019 Children’s Manifesto is “Investing in South African Children”. The goal of the manifesto is to hold Political Parties, Chapter 9 Institutions and Government accountable to the needs and wellbeing of South African children. In addition to ensure that the manifestos of different political parties respond to the wellbeing of South African children. The manifesto will also channel the issues of children into parliament and the different portfolio committees.  Bafana Bafana and Paraguay shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw in the Nelson Mandela Challenge match played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday evening. Warm greetings from chilly New Haven. I hope this message finds you well!
I’m writing to share with you an exciting opportunity for African secondary school students (ages 14-18) to participate in the Yale Young African Scholars Program. We had a very successful program this past July and August, and are now gearing up for our next edition in 2019. Students from ALL African countries are eligible and encouraged to apply. Next year we will host YYAS in three locations: Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, with a total of 300 students (100 per session). There are no tuition, meal, or lodging costs to participate. Travel grants are also available to those who demonstrate financial need— which, if awarded, would cover the full cost of a roundtrip plane ticket. NB- We are particularly keen on receiving applications from students who live in rural areas, and/or do not have university guidance in their schools or communities. While students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, our admissions committee will give preference to high-achieving, low-income (“HALI”) students. Kindly help to circulate this Call within your respective networks, and share with any students who you think would be good candidates. The deadline is 06 February 2019. Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Dagan Rossini Fellow | Young African Scholars Program Yale University 393 Prospect Street New Haven, CT 06511 +1-203-432-1115 dagan.rossini@yale.edu https://africanscholars.yale.edu 12 November 2018 – Bafana Bafana will play Paraguay in the Nelson Mandela Challenge Centenary celebrations at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on Tuesday, 20 November 2018. The match will kick off at 19h00 and comes three days after South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations match against Nigeria at FNB Stadium on 17 November 2018. SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan who made the announcement in Johannesburg on Monday, 12 November 2018 said they could not have come up with a better opposition to mark 100 years of South Africa’s icon and father of the Nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. “We urge football fans to come in their thousands to pay homage to this South African and global icon whose love for children is well documented. “The match between Bafana Bafana and Paraguay is a fitting tribute to this giant who would have been 100 years this year,” said the SAFA President. Dr Jordaan said SAFA will donate R1,5 million towards the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund as children were the closest thing to Madiba. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Durban and Moses Mabhida Stadium for partnering with SAFA in making sure this giant is given a fitting tribute in this momentous year,” he said. The NMCF CEO, Sibongile Mkhabela also urged the people of Durban to turn out in numbers to make sure this year’s tournament is a memorable one. “This is the Centenary Year where our hero Nelson Mandela would have been hundred years and the Fund’s theme is “a Madiba in every generation”. Mkhabela said South African children remain vulnerable as they are subjected to all forms of abuse something which was exacerbated by rising unemployment statistics. “Madiba’s wish was to build a specialised dedicated hospital for children. We are proud to announce that the hospital is in operation and once more we take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders and donors who have made this dream come true,” she said. The NMCF CEO said they were grateful of SAFA’s massive gesture in whose contribution goes a long way in making sure children are the ultimate beneficiaries. “We can’t thank SAFA enough but as NMCF, we are really grateful of the Association’s annual contribution and we hope this year’s celebrations will be the best,” added Mkhabela. Bafana Bafana and Paraguay have clashed on three occasions to date. Their first meeting was in 2002 in Busan, South Korea during the 2002 FIFA World Cup which was co-hosted by Japan and Korea. The match finished 2-2 with Teboho Mokoena and Quinton Fortune finding the net for the Jomo Sono-coached side. The two sides met again in 2008 in Attridgeville’s Lucas Moripe Stadium where Bafana Bafana beat Paraguay 3-0 with goals from Surprise Moriri, Benni McCarthy and Simphiwe Tshabalala. The team was then coached by Carlos Alberto Parreira. The two side’s last clash was in 2010 in the Paraguay’s capital of Asuncion. The match ended in a 1-1 draw with again Siphiwe Tshabalala finding the back of the net. Bafana Bafana played their first Nelson Mandela Challenge match against Zambia in May 1994, which South Africa won 2-1. Among other nations they have hosted, are the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria and Cameroon. The last edition to be played was in 2016 when South Africa defeated Egypt – the following year it was not played due to rescheduled 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This will be the 24th match of the annual event. Bafana Bafana have won 12 fixtures, lost 8 and drawn three. Tickets are already on sale at R40 at Computicket, Checkers and Shoprite Checkers stores across the country.    In 2005 Nedbank joined forces with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund to realise Nelson Mandela’s dream of giving South Africa’s children the best chance at a future. Today we continue his legacy with the Nedbank Children’s Affinity as we work to vaccinate as many children as possible, so we can tackle the child mortality crisis in our nation. The first 1000 days of a child’s life is the most critical health issue because of the lack of immunisation, access of mothers to healthcare facilities and children to medical health care. You can help South Africa achieve a bright future by joining the #VaxTheNation movement. Help Nedbank support the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund at no cost to you and stand a chance to win double tickets to the Global Citizen Festival on the 2nd December 2018. Find out how click here. |
