Not enough is being done by our governments in investing in nutrition! The East and Southern Africa (ESA) National Budget Commitment to Nutrition report showed that less than 1% of the governments’ national budget is allocated to nutrition programmes. This is not enough! African countries are investing a very small amount of their
“My life started again all thanks to the Women Creating Wealth programme,” - Matilda Kambanga, a business owner, Tanzania Matilda Kambanga is part of the Graça Machel Trust Women Creating Wealth (WCW) programme that aims to build the capacity of 1 000 women-owned enterprises to grow and scale their businesses in Tanzania, Malawi and
“Wathinta abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo” is a common phrase that has been used since the 1950s. It translates to when you strike a woman, you strike a rock – enforcing the strength that women are. As we celebrate women’s day, we remember, not only South African women, but women from across Africa that helped pave
Nelson Mandela said “Difficulties break some men but make others” which means that when you are faced with a dilemma or challenge you either choose it to break you or to build you. As we build-up to the Graça Machel Trust and MINDS Africa Youth Network Summit (AYNS) on the 20th and 21st of
In 1996, when Nelson Mandela was the president of South Africa, he emphasized the need for health and nutrition for all in South Africa. In March 1996, he received the honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in appreciation of the work he was doing for health and nutrition. In getting
One of the greatest abilities Nelson Mandela had was using sports as a tool to break down barriers and unite a divided South Africa. He as sportsman - an amateur boxer and soccer player – in his early life and saw the potential sport had to do well. Any South African will remember that
We see and experience inequality on an everyday basis. We have seen it from when Africans were traded as slaves to Europeans during the slave trade. We have seen African countries being colonised and when South Africa was ruled under the Apartheid regime. Today we see inequality in work places, in our homes, and
In 1999, Nelson Mandela founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He wanted to create an instrument which would outlive him. One of the key gifts he gave to the world was Mandela day – a global challenge which encourages people to take time out – 67 minutes – on his birthday to help others. This has
Nelson Mandela was an advocate. Throughout his life we note various points where he took a stand against social injustice. In his early life, Nelson Mandela went to prison for 27 years because he was one of the key champions that fought to end apartheid in South Africa. He believed that each individual carries
26 April 2018, Panel of respected international development experts select celebrated Mozambican as this year’s Laureate The 2018 World Prize for Integrated Development is awarded to Mrs Graça Machel for her significant social justice achievements and tireless work on behalf of women and children. In particular, Mrs Machel is recognised for her leadership of
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.