Big sugar in southern Africa : rural development and the perverted potential of sugar/ethanol exports

This paper asks how investment in large-scale sugar cane production has contributed, and will contribute, to rural development in southern Africa. Taking a case study of the South African company Illovo in Zambia, the argument is made that the potential for greater tax revenue, domestic competition, access to resources and wealth distribution from sugar/ethanol production have all been perverted and with relatively little payoff in wage labour opportunities in return. If the benefits of agro-exports cannot be so easily assumed, then the prospective 'balance sheet' of biofuels needs to be re-examined. In this light, the paper advocates smaller-scale agrarian initiatives

Towards malaria elimination - a new thematic series

The launch of a new thematic series of Malaria Journal -- "Towards malaria elimination" -- creates the forum that allows carrying scientific evidence on how to achieve malaria elimination in specific endemic settings and conditions into the circles of scientists, public health specialists, national and global programme managers, funders and decision makers

SADC Regional Climate Change Programme Document

The report shows how the project has engaged with stakeholders involved in climate change adaptation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Review of existing information such as technical reports and publications is used to establish the current status of climate change in the SADC. Questionnaires and interviews with stakeholders complement the literature review. Six climate change programme components were identified: policy; legal and strategic framework; adaptation mitigation; research; technology development and transfer; and funding and financing mechanisms. A five-year implementation plan was developed detailing the focus, goals and objectives, activities, expected outputs, assumptions, roles of stakeholders and timelines

Protecting our fisheries: Working towards a common future

The threats to our fisheries come from many directions. Climate change is impacting our fish stocks and our growing global population increases the demand for low cost, nutritious food. At the same time our fishing industry is competing with subsidised fleets who operate with financial incentives, and with illegal operators who show no respect for laws, regulations or conservation measures. The fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has long been championed by the SADC and by our ministers. In 2008, Dr Abraham Iyambo, Minister for Fisheries, Namibia led the call to action that resulted in the SADC Statement of Commitment to combat IUU fishing. He stated, ‘We may be the last generation of decision-makers with an opportunity to end the troubling destruction of our oceans and the hardship it brings to our people. I cannot overstate the importance for us leaders to move from discussion to action, future generations will judge us on our achievements not our words.