NECOFA SOUTH AFRICA

 

by: Peter Komane, Country coordinator South Africa

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

African societies have been innovative and have thus developed their knowledge and technological base, adapting to changing conditions, as do all human culture. The colonial period imposed changes over which the local peoples had no choice. The development paradigm’ today continues to impose foreign values and priorities.

 

However, there is growing resistance and an assertion that new developments must be properly planned, assessed and evaluated in relation to the various values and priorities of different cultural traditions they are intended for. This is to ensure these new development contribute to quality of the society and in harmony with the environment, and not to undermine and destroy the livelihoods of the local people.

 

I feel empowered today to introduce NECOFA South Africa Development Programmes to seven members countries, DSE, and all other partners and Associates. The members of the staff, Management, Projects and Associates are willing to fully participate because there is urgent need to conserve and sustainably use biological diversity for the well being of the planet’s life-support systems, on which all humanity depends.

 

We cannot do it alone as South Africans as there are opposing forces that are attempting to claim private monopoly rights over community biological diversity, to gain market control, through appropriation of rights and resources of local communities, indigenous people and sovereign nations through the intellectual property rights (IPR) regime and the global trade systems.

 

NECOFA is a tool to promote networking, exchange of information at local, national and regional levels to ensure food and seed security and agricultural, rural, health and environmental development.

 

Now that we (African) have the tool, lets use the opportunity created by DSE and all other role Players to find ways and means of how best we (African) can use the tool– NECOFA – for sustainable development.

 

Let’s continue networking for sustainable development.

Compiled by: Peter Komane

 

 

2. BACKGROUND REPORT

 

NECOFA South Africa is established as Non Profit Making Organization to promote networking and organic farming in South Africa. Currently the network is operating in four Provinces of South Africa namely; Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West.

 

The following are the institutions that participated in the establishment of NECOFA-SA:

 

 

              INSTITUTIONS