Change4ever Fundraising Fashion Show on Food Security
The Venue, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, 2 October 2008
by Neville Gabriel, Executive Director, Southern Africa Trust
I’ve tried today, but I’m sure you would have noticed that I don’t look like the kind of person who should be welcoming you to such a glamorous do. But this is the kind of thing we have to do to get your attention for a very important message: poverty is everyone’s business.
In southern Africa, more than 100 million people live in extreme poverty. Last year, 5 million people faced severe food shortages in our region. The World Bank estimates that the food price crisis we are experiencing has already pushed 100 million people worldwide into poverty.
Through this event, we are appealing for your help. We need your support to find lasting solutions to the cycle of poverty in our region. Giving temporary relief is not enough. We need your help to uproot the causes of poverty in our region so that we create change forever.
That’s what the Southern Africa Trust does. Working with others, we look for the best solutions and help many different groups to make change real and lasting, by supporting their work. So far, we have given more than $9 million to more than 80 organisations in 15 southern African countries that are working to drive down poverty in our region for good – that’s more than 130 projects working for solutions to poverty that last.
The Trust is led by a remarkable set of trustees from throughout southern Africa, some of whom are here tonight: Ms Shirley Moulder, Dr Vusi Gumede, and [Ms Riah Phiyega].
Change4ever is the Southern Africa Trust’s way of saying that we need a fresh attitude to poverty. It’s at once about raising awareness, getting public participation, and raising funds directly from the South African public . . . especially amongst those who want to support a solution, rather than a problem.
And it’s being driven by a group of great people who have declared that they want to be part of this new effort. Some of them are here tonight . . . the ambassadors for change . . . Stoan, Thuli Zulu, Lucia Mthiyane, Lerato Mbele, [Lawrence Dube], Bob Mabena, David Tlale, Kojo Baffoe, Sizwe Dhlomo, [Lira], [Ferial Haffajee], [KG Moeketsi], [Moegsien Williams], and [Graca Machel].
This is the first change4ever event. We are so happy that you chose to be part of it. By supporting this change4ever event, you are part of the solution.
Please add your voice in support of change4ever. Share your ideas. And, of course, please bid for the auction items later tonight.
If you did not come prepared for that, please donate whatever you can when you can. We are happy to declare that everything that you give – the full amount we receive from you – will go to the projects that we support.
Enjoy the show and have a great evening.
Thank you.
