Rise and shine, Mzansi! A busy day awaits in the agricultural sector. First up on our radar, today marks World Habitat Day which puts the lens on the state of global cities and towns. Also, wine producers are reminded to register for the next instalment of the Vinpro Winetech webinar series.
A new and exciting edition of the Mzansi Flavour newsletter lands in your mailbox today and we are gearing up to commemorate World Food day with the Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa).
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World Habitat Day
The United Nations has designated the first Monday in the month of October of every year as World Habitat Day.
Celebrated on 5 October this year, the day is aimed at reflecting on the state of global towns and cities as well as the basic human right to adequate shelter.
According to the UN an estimated 1.8 billion people were already living in slums and informal settlements, inadequate housing or in homelessness worldwide before the pandemic began.
In light of the global crisis, having a home now more than ever is a matter of life and death. As the virus continues to grip the world, billions have been urged to stay home. But even this simple precaution is nearly impossible for people who do not have the comfort of a shelter.
World Habitat Day was first established in 1985 by the UN general assembly through Resolution 40/202 and was first commemorated a year later in 1986.
Each year World Habitat Day tackles a new theme to bring attention to the UN Habitat mandate in their promotion of sustainable development policies of shelter.
Read the keynote address by secretary general António Guterres here.
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FSNet-Africa launches World Food Day Campaign
In the weeks leading up to World Food Day commemorated on 16 October 2020, the Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa) will host a collaborative virtual campaign organised by the University of Pretoria (UP), University of Leeds (UoL), global food and environment institute (GFEI), and the food, agriculture, and natural resources policy analysis network (FANRPAN).
Observed under the theme “African Action for Zero Hunger”, FSNet-Africa’s network of researchers, thought leaders, and grassroots stakeholders will share their insights and highlight key policy actions to achieve Zero Hunger in Africa.
The campaign will conclude with a webinar on Friday 16 October. Professor Tim Benton, member of the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition, will be the keynote speaker during the webinar, sharing insights from the panel’s latest report that was released on 29 September 2020. Researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders with an interest in African food systems are invited to register for the FSNet-Africa World Food Day webinar here.
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Vinpro Winetech Webinar
Don’t miss the Winetech Vinpro webinar for Worcester and Breedekloof which takes place from 09:00 – 11:30 on Thursday.
To ensure the health and safety of participants amid the global covid-19 pandemic the weekly wine event has taken to the digital sphere to deliver a series of informative webinars.
The program for the session will include the principles and maintenance of irrigation systems, the future of Mancozeb as a fungicide, as well as the management of vineyards given the current wine surplus that will put cellar space under pressure. Lastly, industry experts will frame the South African wine industry’s future through a dialogue series.
Attendance costs R150 per person and registration is compulsory. Persons who have registered will receive a link to the online webinar platform 24 hours before the event. Click here to register.
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Looking for food inspiration?
Keep your eyes glued to your screens! The Food For Mzansi “Mzansi Flavour” weekly digest will be in your mailbox at 12:00 with your weekly dose of meal inspiration.
The carefully selected menu guide contains meals from our top chefs and cooks and has got all your meal needs covered to carry you through the week and will only be availed to those who have signed up for it. No spam – we promise!
If you haven’t registered, no worries, sign up here to receive the recipe mail every Monday.
Do you have an upcoming event that should be on Food For Mzansi’s watchlist? Drop us an email to diary@foodformzansi.co.za and we’ll do our best to include it in this weekday feature.
