The fight against povertyThe recent economic meltdown has not made it easy for countries of the world and more so, for South Africa to keep pace with the achievement of the first Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015. President Jacob Zuma, in his state of the Nation Address in June 2009, called on key players to unite in the fight against poverty. This he said was due to the fact that it is in working together that both government and the private sector can do more to fight poverty and build a better life for all. The National Development Agency, whose mandate is that of contributing towards the eradication of poverty in impoverished communities, continues to empower community-based organisations with grants and capacity building initiatives. This is to enable them to implement poverty eradication projects and join the mainstream economy. The NDA responds to the call by government to implement poverty eradication measures through business grants aimed at encouraging self-reliance amongst the able-bodied. These interventions are aimed at contributing to job creation and participation of poor communities in the mainstream economy by strengthening their capacity and fostering social entrepreneurship. The past three years also saw R25 million committed to 20 Non-Government Organisations responsible for upskilling many Community Based Organisations (CSOs) in the basics of business management and conflict resolution. Some of the CSOs who benefited from the training are now able to do their own fundraising for expansion purposes.
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