Embassy of Japan Invests Millions in Basic Human Needs Projects in South Africa
Children at Mpolokeng Primary School in Botshabelo in the Free State now have four additional classrooms, thanks to the Embassy of Japan.
Image Courtesy Embassy of Japan
The school is just one of 11 projects worth R13 million that were supported by the embassy between April 2016 and March 2017.
Prior to construction, several children at Mpolokeng Primary had to attend classes under trees and in old mobile classrooms. No longer at the mercy of the elements, the young learners are more comfortable and less distracted in their new learning environment.
Embassy of Japan head of the PR Division, Waku Masayuki, says the project forms part of the embassy’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme. “The GGP is a flexible funding scheme aimed at supporting community level socio-economic development projects initiated by civil society organisations to address people’s basic human needs.
“The initiative reflects the Japanese Government's commitment to upholding the concept of human security in health, education, welfare and general, which includes water, environment, welfare, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and others. The GGP was first introduced to South Africa in 1989 and prioritises human security for vulnerable and marginalised people within society,” he adds.
Since 1990, over 600 projects have been implemented in South Africa. Between 2014 and 2016 alone, 39 projects were supported by the scheme. Of these, 15 educated-related projects received funding worth R12 million, impacting 415,000 people. The projects ranged from providing classrooms, libraries and laboratories to existing schools.
Nine projects in the health sector received R9 million, impacting 292,000 people. Some of the projects included the provision of mobile clinics, ambulances and cataract eye surgery equipment as well as the refurbishment or extension of care centres and hospitals, amongst others.
The welfare sector received R15 million for 13 projects between 2014 and 2016, with an impact on 176,000 people. This included projects such as the provision of vehicles and rehabilitation equipment, to the renovation and construction of various care centres where the need was greatest.
In addition, two projects in the agricultural sector were funded to the tune of R2 million, impacting 15,000 people. These included improvements to farm buildings and the provision of farming equipment.
Masayuki says the embassy receives several applications for assistance every year.
“We work with NPOs, including non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, education institutions, medical institutions and local governments, to compile a shortlist of projects that are in the greatest need of assistance. We then conduct a pre-monitoring process to determine which projects to support.
“Ultimately, the Japanese Government makes the final decision as it donates the funds, initially in Japanese Yen. The maximum amount available per project is 10 million Japanese Yen. In South Africa, this amounted to R900,000 this year, but it can vary year on year based on the exchange rate,” he continues.
“Doing good in the world and helping people when you have the ability to do so is the not only the right thing to do, but the best thing to do. More importantly, I believe these projects promote interaction between South African and Japanese people, which facilitates international cooperation and friendship between the countries,” concludes Masayuki.
Embassy of Japan-funded GGP projects between 2014 and 2016:
Education
Construction of classrooms and library at Bhekizizwe Primary School, Umzumbe
Construction of library at Dumangobuhle Higher Primary School in Indaka
Construction of classrooms at Sizwelabantu Primary School in Nongoma
Provision of mobile science laboratories in Durban and Pietermaritzburg
Construction of classrooms at Sigoyo Junior Secondary School in King Sabata Dalindyebo
Construction of classrooms at Mosepedi Secondary School and Scheiding Primary School in Lepelle-Nkumpi
Mobile libraries provided in North West
Construction of Primary School in Moletjie, Limpopo
Construction of high school in Ubuhlebezwe, KwaZulu-Natal
Construction of primary school in Ngabayena, KwaZulu-Natal
Construction of Mangakane Lerate Primary School in Polokwane, Limpopo
Construction of Skobeni Senior Primary School in Mhlontlo, Eastern Cape
Construction of Madudula High School in Ngabayena, KwaZulu-Natal
Construction of classrooms at Mpolokeng Primary school in Botshabelo, Free State
Health
Mobile Clinic provided in Moretele
Provision of mobile clinic and improvement of hygienic environment in Tokologo
Provision of Mobile Mammography Clinic in Gauteng
Cataract eye surgery equipment provided to the Vredendal Hospital in Western Cape
Equipment for the SANCB Training Centre’s Resource Room in Gauteng
Ambulance provided to Order of St John in Bloemfontein, Free State
Provision of mobile clinic and renovation of Nightingale Hospice in Emthanjeni, Northern Cape
Renovation of St. Francis Care Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng
Expansion of the obstetrics and gynaecology sections at Jane Furse Hospital in Makhuduthamag, Limpopo
Welfare
Construction of Therapy Centre at Alma School in Eloffsdal
Provision of school minibuses in Langlaagte, Gauteng
Donation of mobility support equipment such as wheelchairs and posture support devices in Amathole, Eastern Cape
Construction of old age day care centre in Qunu, Eastern Cape
Construction of dormitory and provision of vehicle in Umthatha, Eastern Cape
Renovation of Tharollo Drop-In-Centre in Tshamahansi, Limpopo
HIV/AIDS Testing Vehicle provided to Show Me Your Number, Gauteng
Expansion of The Institute for Healing of Memories in Cape Town, Western Cape
Construction of day care centre in Matatiele, Eastern Cape Province
Renovation of the Child and Youth Care Centre for Girls in Cape Town, Western Cape
Construction of a Drop-in Centre in Vlakbult, Mpumalanga Province
Procurement of two vehicles for the Johannesburg Hospital School for Autism in Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Construction of the Orlando Youth Development Centre in Soweto, Gauteng
Agriculture
Improvement of packing house for smallholding farmers in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal
Farming equipment to Sivulindlela Community Development in Hectorspruit, Mpumalanga
