STELLENBOSCH, South Africa, 8 July 2012 – Efforts to reduce Africa’s high maternal mortality rate are expected to be strengthened by a new co-operation agreement between Stellenbosch University (SU) and the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA.
A Letter of Understanding (LOU) making the University an implementing partner for UNFPA’s Africa Regional Programme, was signed today by Bunmi Makinwa, Director, Africa Regional Office, UNFPA, and Prof. Russel Botman, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor.
“One of our priorities is Millennium Development Goal 5 – improving maternal health. Africa has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world, on average, more than 500 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to rates of 50 to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births in other regions, such as Asia,” Mr. Makinwa said.
“For the past three years we have been implementing a focused programme, and we are seeing a reduction, but it is still too high. In countries like South Sudan, Sierra Leone and Niger, the rate is more than 1000 deaths per 100,000 live births. We would like it to come down to the figure in Mauritius, which is 2, or Cape Verde, which is 6. This agreement with Stellenbosch University will help us move in that direction.”
The University’s contributions will be spearheaded by its Africa Centre for HIV and AIDS Management . It will source and provide services such as research and analysis, management training, capacity development and policy advocacy, in support of the work of UNFPA’s Africa Regional Programme in 46 countries on the sub-continent.
“Stellenbosch University follows a science-for-society approach through our HOPE Project , which is aligned with the MDGs. We strive to be relevant to the needs of the people of our county and our continent,” Prof. Botman said.
The MDGs were adopted by world leaders at the turn of the century with the twin aims of reducing poverty and promoting development. Two and a half years away from the target date of 2015, some regions doing better than others. In Africa, there is good progress in some areas, but many countries are unfortunately lagging on some of the indicators. Clearly we need to redouble our efforts, and that’s where this agreement comes in.”
“This is the first time that the UN is signing an LOU with a university. Together we will now be able to better promote human development in Africa,” Prof. Jan du Toit, Director of Africa Centre for HIV and AIDS Management, said.
The agreement confirms that Stellenbosch is regarded as a trusted partner, Prof. Botman said. “I want to thank UNFPA for the confidence shown in Stellenbosch University and in our Africa Centre for HIV and AIDS Management. Our donors – domestic and international – all set stringent accounting and reporting standards. Our financial management and corporate governance practices have passed the test,” he said.
Read Prof. Botman's speech.
For more information please contact:
Adebayo Fayoyin: Regional Communications Adviser, United Nations Population Fund, Sub-Regional Office Johannesburg. Tel: +27 11 603 5348. Cell: +27 79 517 0320. Fax: +27 11 603 5382.
Lindsay Barnes: Communications Analyst, United Nations Population Fund, Sub-Regional Office Johannesburg. Email: barnes@unfpa.org .Tel: +27 11 603 5329. Cell: +27 84 8118163. Fax: +27 11 603 5382.
Prof Jan du Toit: Director: Africa Centre for HIV and AIDS Management, Stellenbosch University (SU)
Tel: +27 21 808 3004. Cell: +27 83 626 3082. Email: jbdt@sun.ac.za
