As in previous years, the community-based rural development activities of ELCSA-DS targeted the poor and the less privileged in some parts of the provinces of Limpopo, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu/Natal. The programme included self-help projects as well as agricultural and environmental, water & sanitation, literacy and skills training and HIV & AIDS awareness creation activities.
The end-of-term external evaluation of May 2002 and the CSO process that followed were among the major ELCSA-DS activities during the year. The participatory CSO preparation has enabled ELCSA-DS to come up with a clear vision/mission, core values and strategic priorities for the coming five years - 2003 to 2007.
The year’s other activities included gradual preparation for programme transition whereby ELCSA-DS shall be a fully-nationally managed development structure. In this regard, the steps taken include systematisation of some programme activities, recruitment of additional staff, preparation of a management manual, organising study tours and implementation of some of the major ecommendations in the evaluation report.
During the year, ELCSA-DS took an active part in helping and organising major meetings and workshops. As local Secretariat for the LWF-sponsored Inter-Faith Peace Summit of October 2002, ELCSA-DS worked closely with LWF-Geneva and the National Religious Leaders Forum of South Africa. The Global Diakonia Consultation that followed the Summit, also provided ELCSA-DS with an opportunity to initiate useful contacts.
Indeed, the ELCSA-DS office thanks the Board for its leadership and guidance. We also thank LWF-WS, the Church of Sweden and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, who have stood with ELCSA-DS, giving support and encouragement to the development efforts. We further note with satisfaction that ELCSA-DS staff have handled their duties in a responsible manner.
Finally, the time has come to orient ourselves fully to the objectives, strategies and the challenge of the CSO and, in so doing commit ourselves further to serving the poor and the needy with vigour and determination. May God help us all to bring the vision and mission of ELCSA-DS closer to the people!
Petros Wontamo
LWF Rep/ELCSA-DS Director
| Indicators | Year | Estimate |
| Surface Area | 1,219,090 sq. kms | |
| Population - Mid-year estimate | 2001 | 44.6 Million |
| % of urban population | 2000 | 50% |
| Population Density | 37 per sq. km | |
| GNI per capita | 1999 | US $3,170 |
| Annual population growth rate | 1996-2001 | 2.2% |
| Birth Date | 2.0% | |
| Total adult literacy rate | 84% | |
| Life Expectancy at birth | 1995-2000 | 57 |
| Economically active population | 2001 | 15,4 Million |
| Unemployment, among economically active | 2001 | 29.5% |
| Households with piped water in dwelling or on site | 65.8% | |
| HDI for South Africa | 2000 | 0.695 |
| Estimate of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS | 2001 | 5.0 Million |
| Estimated number of deaths due to AIDS | 2001 | 360,000 |
Source:
Stats in Brief 2002 - Statistics South Africa
UN Publications,
World Bank
|