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alike welcomed the book. One reviewer said, “the timing of this book is especially urgent, as the end of the export commodity price boom – and with it “Africa Rising” myth-making – reveals the limits of both the neo-liberal strategy and the Chinese model. This book shows how better economic balance (including along gender lines), productive localisation and income redistribution are crucial components of genuine developmental state-building.”
Following the initial launch, the ESJ Programme carried out a series of book launches countries highlighted in the book. The second launch was in August in Zimbabwe, and the third was held in September in Botswana. A fourth launch was successfully completed in Angola (in early October). In all instances, there was a clear indication of the centrality of socio-economic rights in human development
and the need for robust discourse and action for their realisation – with the state as the principal guarantor of the same. The response to the launch was highly positive (over 400 people attended various launches), indicative of interests amongst citizens to engage in questions of national development and benefits to the vulnerable. From these launches, the programme will outline key areas for ongoing dialogue.
Support to small scale farmers
In September, the ESJ Programme, in collaboration with the Economic Advancement Programme and our Zambia partner Centre for Trade and Policy Development (CTPD), organised a two-day small scale farmers’ food security convening in Lusaka, Zambia. The convening was oversubscribed and provided a space for dialogue among various stakeholders who identified the key challenges in the sector and proposed workable solutions that could be pursued further to support investments to improve small-scale farmers and the agriculture sector in Zambia at large.
This meeting helped to align civil society groups and cemented relations with some farmer groups. There are plans to consolidate the meeting’s gains and create a work strategy to take the work forward.
Education Rights Programme
The Education Rights Programme successfully organised two key meetings during the third quarter: a second regional planning and working forum for grantees implementing special education needs (SEN) projects at the early childhood development and education (ECDE) level and regional consultation on the obligations of states in the regulation of private actors in education. The meetings were held in collaboration with the Early Childhood Programme (ECP) and Education Support Programme (ESP).
The SEN convening, hosted in Malawi, fused a combination of field visitations and a technical knowledge sharing and learning platform to sharpen the ability of grantees in this area of work to roll out transformative, inclusive education interventions. Organisational development support was also provided to institutionally bolster the grantees
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OPEN SOCIETY INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA – 2017 REPORT