Message from the Resident Coordinator launching the InFocus Newsletter Vol4, Issue2 2021

There is no doubt this last year has tested our resilience as individuals, families, organizations and as a global community. We have been challenged to look beyond our losses, to continue to push through adversities and exhaustion and to hold on to our pockets of joy. The pandemic continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of many, while disrupting healthcare systems, hampering socioeconomic development. It has also disrupted the efforts of the global community to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. 

At the time of writing, 2,090,909 South Africans had tested positive for Covid-19, there were 1,845,038 recoveries and more than 3,631,102 vaccines had been administered. Regrettably, 62,628 people had lost their lives to the pandemic. These numbers are not just statistics, they are people we know, our friends and families. My deepest sympathies go out to all members of the United Nations family in South Africa who have lost their loved ones during this time. May you find peace and comfort in the memories you shared with those who have departed.  

In the face of the ongoing pandemic, the UN in South Africa has made strides in the finalization of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2020 to 2025. With just 10 years to go before the 2030 Agenda, the Government of South Africa and the UN have committed to implementing this Cooperation Framework with a view of catalyzing sustainable solutions during the Decade of Action (2020-2030). The collective results expected from this Cooperation Framework will help the people of “South Africa to live prosperous and healthy lives in a safe and cohesive society that protects and values environmental sustainability”.  

In line with the four strategic priorities for the UNSDCF, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). The partnership follows the launch of the District Development Model by the South African government in 2019 with the aim of enhancing service delivery in three pilot districts including OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape, Waterberg District in Limpopo and eThekwini district in KwaZulu-Natal.

The District Development Model consists of a process by which each sphere, sector or entity cooperates and undertakes collaborative planning, budgeting and implementation processes, converging efforts at the district or metropolitan level. This joint work is expressed through the formulation and implementation of a “One Plan” which is a long-term strategic framework that guides investment and delivers in each of the districts and metropolitan areas of the country. 

The Joint COGTA/UN technical team has engaged in extensive consultations with the districts to understand key development priorities in each of the three areas and reviewed existing plans and interventions in response to these priorities. This process has enabled the identification of specific areas of support that the UN can provide to the districts, building on existing work and addressing specific gaps.

Finally, the UN family in South Africa aims to work with the government by realigning itself to support local government and service delivery and placing its resources and expertise at the disposal of municipalities and their citizens.

I look forward to the continued support from our partners, civil society and the private sector as we work towards implementing the district development model which will help lift people out of poverty, create jobs and stimulate the economy in the three pilot districts.