‘Africa For Haiti
Campaign’ Launched In South Africa
Tony Ekata, Johannesburg
Leaders
from churches, business groups and civil society, including wife
of former South African President, Mrs. Graça Machel, have come
out to mobilize support for Haiti.
The Africa for Haiti Campaign, championed by the Nelson
Mandela Foundation, has been launched in Johannesburg, at a
ceremony attended by Archbishops Desmond Tutu and Njongonkulu
Ndungane, businessmen Trevor Ncube and Reuel Khoza, among
others.
Focus
At the event, Mrs. Machel stated that the Africa for Haiti
Campaign would focus on reconstruction in Haiti. The objective,
she said, was not to provide immediate relief but rather to
contribute toward the medium- to long-term reconstruction of
communities.
As a result, it is estimated that fundraising for the campaign
may continue for six months.
The Africa for Haiti Campaign will identify, in partnership with
Haitian civil society organisations, initiatives in areas in to
support the country. It also hopes to provide Africans from all
walks of life an opportunity to demonstrate their collective
solidarity and support for the people of Haiti, thereby uniting
Africans in compassion and giving.
Speaking of the campaign, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “We
were supported wonderfully by the international community when
we struggled against the vicious policy of apartheid. Today the
people of Haiti, struck twice by the earthquake, are in a worse
predicament than we were. As South Africans, we especially
cannot but want to do our bit to alleviate the immense suffering
of our sisters and brothers in Haiti.”
The campaign also aims to unite individuals, NGOs and corporate
bodies across Africa, by disseminating information and enlisting
support from their extensive networks.
Yinka
