Source - South Africa - The Good News
Schoolchildren in Kliptown, Soweto have become the first in South Africa to benefit from the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) campaign, reports the Mail & Guardian.SA Good NewsOne hundred children from the Kliptown Youth Programme have joined the community of 250 000 children from developing countries across the world in being owners of the world’s cheapest and child-friendliest laptops.
We have all be shocked by the recent spate of attacks on foreigners in South Africa but many of us go unaffected and are living our usual lives blissfully unaware of the torment others are currently suffering. Whether you agree to call it Xenophobia or not is not what we are debating.
The Unitedforafrica.co.za project aims at tracking the events, pooling resources and influencing positive action to solve the current problem, as well as to start a dialogue going forward. Started as an initiative by Quirk eMarketing we hope this project will result in some meaningful dialogue not just to solve the immediate crisis but to investigate its root causes and start laying the ground to some longer term solutions.
Starting as sporadic and isolated incidents the activity have growing into a full blown assault on our fellow Africans. This portal looks to empower each one of us to make a difference, both in terms of keeping each other informed and providing assistance to those who are being persecuted. If you see or hear anything please report it. Through our collective efforts we can force local and international governments to be frank, honest and responsive to this situation.
Get involved by visiting their site, reporting any incidents and getting involved in the many activities which have come about since the violence began.
There’s no shortage of initatives to stimulate good positive values in South African Society. Even though we find ourselves in the middle of negative and uncertain times, there is alot happening to change the tide and the more people involved the closer we’ll get to our goals of becoming a country and nation we can all be proud to be a part of.
The new intiative called “movement for good” is building momentum and looking to make a big impact on South African society by involving all sectors of society. Their opening address on their website states:
The Movement for Good is a network of organisations that have come together to inspire and mobilise South Africans to become active citizens for good. Our vision is to build a country that lives its constitutional values, is safe, and has opportunity for all - so that we and our children have hope in our future.
The Movement aims to integrate organisations that are currently mobilising South Africans so that there is coherency and synergy across the various campaigns. All across our great nation, good people have been independently organising, tirelessly striving and selflessly building communities that care.
You can play a part in this, no matter how insignificant you think you or your actions may be. Every little bit makes a difference, and if we can mobilise the collective, as we believe we can, we can ALL contribute…for good.
It’s time to mobilise our nation, to bring us all together into an unstoppable force. It starts with us. It starts with you.
There’s no excuse to sit at home and complain, get involved and be part of the change.
A few days ago I started a wiki site (http://one-thinktank.pbwiki.com) with the idea of getting people together to brainstorm some activism towards positive change in South Africa. It thought that due to the spread of social networking that this would be a great way to get people collaborating. Just now I came across the facebook group for the “16 Days of Activism against abuse” which highlights this thought, and has done a better job than I could in getting something going.
So what is this event all about? The Centre for Women’s Global Leadership gives us a bit of an introduction to this promising event:
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.
Pieter Boschoff, founder of www.myalert.co.za, www.missingchildren
Womensnet.org.za has posted a list of activities related to this event so get involved now and help spread the word.
Imagine if, for 16 days, there was no rape, no child abuse. The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign challenges South Africans to declare a truce on violence against women and children - and, ultimately, to make it a permanent one.
Around the country, South Africans are being called on to combat violence against women and children. For the 10th year, SA is taking part in the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women campaign, which runs from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
While the global campaign focuses on violence against women, South Africa added children to its campaign because of the high incidence of child abuse in the country.
South Africa is still home to high levels of violence against its women and children, despite a world-renowned Constitution and a legislative overhaul that safeguards women’s and children’s rights.
The government, business, civil society organisations, state-owned enterprises, faith-based organisations and the media are all participating in the drive to increase awareness of the negative impact of violence and abuse on women and children.
The campaign also aims to:
- Challenge the perpetrators of violence to change their behaviour.
- Involve men and boys in helping to eradicate violence.
- Provide survivors with information about services and organisations that can help lessen the impact of violence on their lives.
- Extend its reach beyond South Africa’s borders.
What you can do
South Africans are urged to support the campaign by wearing a white ribbon during the 16-day period to symbolise their commitment to “never commit or condone violence against women or children, and to speak out about violence where they see it.”People can also pledge their support to the campaign by signing the 16 Days Postcard and e-mailing it or posting it free of charge at any post office. Each card signed and collected will raise R1 for the campaign. E-cards can be selected, customised and sent from here, while postcards can be collected at any post office or multi-purpose community centre.
South Africans can also help by sending an SMS with the words “16 Days” to 31616. Each SMS will raise a further R5 for the campaign.
All money raised will be forwarded to the Foundation for Human Rights, which will channel it to organisations that support survivors of violence and abuse.
Other ways of supporting the campaign:
- Donate money to organisations working to end violence against women by making a contribution to the Foundation for Human Rights.
- Check out the calendar and attend a 16 Days event.
- Check out the directory of helping organisations and volunteer some of your time and energy.
- Join the online Cyber Dialogues around the campaign.
Rhetoric and reality
South Africa, according to non-governmental organisation Gender Links, needs to close the gap between the “rhetoric of gender equality” and the “reality on the ground”. Gender Links says the country has made impressive strides in recognising the roles and rights of women and children.The Constitution recognises gender equality as the cornerstone of South Africa’s democracy, and new legislation - such as the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and the Domestic Violence Act - have been lauded for enforcing the rights of women.
But more needs to be done. “Changing laws can be swift,” says Gender Links. “Giving them effect, and changing the mindsets that often render them ineffective, is a much more demanding task.”
It gives me hope that ideas can be powerful when shared and inspires me to stop keeping ideas stuck in the back of my mind and to start speaking, sharing and collaborating. Get involved, spread the word & make a difference in someone’s life.
I’ve just been surfing the www.greatergood.co.za website and went through the request for assistance page. Clicking through the many different organisation who are doing great work throughout the country in all different areas of need it gives me great hope. many times when we’re focusing on the negatives we fail to see how much good is being done all around us.
Before we complain too much we should play out part and get involved in doing something to make life easier for someone else. Giving is something which cannot be replaced by any other activity, giving empowers both the giver and the gifted, it cleanses the soul when done sincerely, it inspires hope and creates bonds, it makes life easier for all involved.
Visit http://www.myggsa.co.za/connect/requests/ and for a quick list of organisations in need of your assistance. The requests are varied and some even only require you give of your time or expertise. We are all in need at some stage of our life and giving to those in need qualifies us to be gifted in our hours of need.
Posted on May 15th, 2007 by Author Goldstuck at www.thebigchange.com
That’s the bold prediction of social entrepreneur Lee Elliott, whose innovative model of for-profit social upliftment is rapidly grabbing the attention of some of South Africa’s most progressive companies, including the African Bank.
Elliott is the MD of Shujaa Holdings, whose Sustainable Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) methodology framework is starting to catalyse poor and disadvantaged communities across the country into prosperity using its unique integrated development system (IDS).
Elliott says SEED’s involvement with innovationTOWN, as headline sponsor, is a natural extension of its innovative and life-changing activities across South Africa and the continent.
“Our model provides a new growth opportunity for the private sector and a forum for innovations. Old and tired solutions cannot work at this level.”
SEED’s IDS has several characteristics, the first of which is to cause disruptive change in the community it is operating in to create momentum for positive change and movement. It then makes interventions in specific areas like economic development, communication, the youth, leadership, technology and personal development.
There is a strong focus on developing the youth as strong spiritual, business and community leaders, with young people owning and running the majority of the Shujaa companies. As Elliott points out, if a new business venture in a community employs 100 people, those 100 people now have more disposable income, which means more products and services are needed to satisfy them. The more products and services are available, the more money cycles through the community, and the more people have an income in what she calls “a glorious cycle of abundance.”
A previous innovation award winner, Uniep, addresses poverty and unemployment in the Uniondale area by intermeshing a number of projects to create a sustainable micro-economy within this impoverished area. Formerly unemployed women have created small business that supplies food to destitute members of the community and other community support groups, such as community carers (also unemployed women).
They use fresh produce from community gardens, once again run by previously unemployed women, while more unemployed people produce furniture. More than 400 people and their families have benefited.
innovationTOWN is a national campaign to champion innovation as part of a 2010 initiative to recreate South Africa as an innovative country. innovationTOWN seeks to promote innovation as a solution oriented attitude that can be harnessed to help alleviate the social and economic challenges that face South Africa.
Elements of the campaign include the iHERO Awards that finds and rewards innovators; an education initiative; a programme that seeks to match innovators with investors; an innovation faire that exhibits award-winning innovations; a photo and narrative exhibition on innovation; and a national advertising and publicity initiative aimed at putting innovation back on the local agenda.
innovationTOWN is co-founded by CIDA City Campus, Axius Publishing , SoulCircle and the CIDA Investment Trust , to help reposition South Africa as an innovative country by teaching people that innovation is more than a product or a process, but a ‘can do’ approach that helps build a better world.
innovationTOWN is sponsored by Shujaa Holdings and the Sustainable Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) framework, as well as African Bank, South African Post Office and the Branson School of Entrepreneurship. Other supporters include Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in New Town, Brand South Africa, TBM, The Gordon Institute of Business Science, DSG and Media Tenor. At the heart of the campaign is the iHERO Awards, the awards programme of innovationTOWN which identifies and rewards innovations and innovators who are making a positive contribution to South Africa. A
(For more information, visit the innovationTOWN web site)
A while ago while researching e-learning and related subjects I came across the One Laptop Per Child project. It’s a brave initiative which, though it inspired me I struggled to conceptualize the realization of the goal. Their stated goal is:
“It’s an education project, not a laptop project.”— Nicholas Negroponte
Our goal: To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves.
I’m still a bit skeptical on how to achieve such a high goal with so many efforts being made to inject positive influence into society being brushed aside or merely given lip service by governments and other key figures. Because this project aligns very well with my vision for The One Project I’ve started thinking how we could get a few prominent local players involved in getting OLPC going in SA. Thinking positively and proactively is the only way to get anywhere when it comes to endeavours of this nature and though the odds are stacked heavily against it any Noble endeavour is worth some effort.
It was a recent post(Most Governments won’t buy OLPC - will you?) I came across which got me thinking about this seriously. If governments who had promised participation and support for this project are not keeping their promises, as governments usually do, what can we do as ordinary citizens to make a difference and get this project out in the open.
The OLPC organisation has provided us with an option which seems a little more attractive to those willing or able to part with a few bucks. Get one give one is what they’re calling it and it allows you to buy 2 of these laptops, one for your child and one for another child who is much more in need of it at the cost of $399.
If we look at what some parents spend on playstations, mobile phones, iPods & the like for their kids then the price tag should be nothing to blink at at least that’s if you are by the means.
It seems there has been a little activity surrounding the OLPC project in South Africa and Nigeria in this interview with RUSSELL SOUTHWOOD of Balancingact-Africa. How do you think we can get this project on the go in South Africa and start empowering our children towards a brighter futures?
As South Africans many of us though living, working & studying together are still faced with many factors which keep us divided and prevent us from interacting and understanding each other better. The factor of language is one of the most significant and one which needs serious attention if we are to become a truely integrated and united society.
The Motherland Language project is an ambitious and brave step in the direction of integration and uniting of our people. Their aim starting 2nd September 2007 is to teach 1 million South Africans Zulu and in so doing bring down one of the last barriers keeping us from our brothers and sisters in a mental apartheid.
Motherland Sons and Daughters
It’s time to be as One
Motherland Son’s and Daughters
The Renaissance Has Begun!
Their website www.mitv.co.za already has 14 lessons which can be downloaded in a few formats as well as transcripts and shows a true commitment to taking this beautiful idea through to it’s stated goals.
Zulu: To 24% of South Africans, Zulu is considered to be their home language and 50% of the South Africa’s inhabitants understand the language. Zulu falls under the Nguni group and is one of the Bantu languages. Xhosa and Zulu are the only two languages mutually understandable. The Zulu nation … more about » ZuluZulu: To 24% of South Africans, Zulu is considered to be their home language and 50% of the South Africa’s inhabitants understand the language. Zulu falls under the Nguni group and is one of the Bantu languages. Xhosa and Zulu are the only two languages mutually understandable. The Zulu nation … more about » Zulu - source (http://www.sa-venues.com)
I’ve always wanted to speak Xhosa & Zulu amongst other languages and feel it is a duty on all of us to learn to understand each other and communicate with each other. So many South Africans who do not speak English & Afrikaans as a first language and they are probably the majority speak to English & Afrikaans speakers in their mother tongue. many times we do not even give it a second thought and at times we also criticize some people for not being able to speak our language quite the way we want them to even though we have not even taken the first step to speak their language.
Language is a great barrier to solving problems, for empowering and establishing meaingful relationships and for showing respect. Lets take these steps together towards understanding and respect. We can only benefit and stand to lose nothing but have alot to gain.
Join the conversation and walk with us towards the “REAL” new South Africa.
Another promising project online is The South African Institute for Entrepreneurship which has a “vision of a dynamic culture of entrepreneurship in South Africa that promotes a positive mindset in youth and adults and assists in the eradication of poverty through the creation of effective entrepreneurs and enterprises“.
One of the key areas which need to be developed is business skills which unfortunately is seriously lacking in the majority of our population. To instill in young learners and old alike the necessary skills to empower themselves so they will be able to be successful and self sufficient is crucial if we are to achieve any positive level of economic sustainability in South Africa. The classic idiom: “Give a man to fish and you feed him for a day, but teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” describes the need perfectly. We need to take steps to enable our people to sustain themselves and others.
PURPOSE OF THE SAIE
The SAIE develops innovative materials that utilize original, creative methodologies; and trains educators, trainers and community-based organisations to convey business skills, uncover entrepreneurship qualities and ensure sustainable economic development and wealth creation.
The One Project aims to reach a similar profile and level of activity as organisations such as The South African Institute for Entrepreneurship and seeks to learn from, partner with, share resources with and assist in their activities. What is need in South Africa is a heightened sense of collaboration and sharing of knowledge and resources so that we can all be working together in achieving joint success.
Visit their site and see how they are making a different in the lives of young South Africans at www.entrepreneurship.co.za
Greater Good SA is a project to keep your eye on and get involved in. When I saw this site launch a few years ago I experienced mixed feelings. For one the idea was something I had spent sometime brainstorming, documenting and discussing with some of my peers but I had not taken it any further. On the other hand I was pleasantly surprised to see someone else taking the initiative and moving on an idea of this nature. This is a project I really admire. Check it out at www.myggsa.co.za.