Africa must celebrate itself – Gawanas
The newly appointed special adviser on Africa to the United Nations, Bience Gawanas, wants the continent's success stories to be told.
UN secretary-general António Guterres this week appointed Gawanas to the high-profile position to succeed Maged Abdelaziz of Egypt.
Gawanas, who previously served as commissioner of social affairs at the African Union Commission, currently serves as the special adviser to poverty eradication minister Zephania Kameeta.
She singled out the resilience of African women toiling in fields to feed themselves, as well as the kaleidoscope of cultures that attracts tourists, as areas that must be celebrated.
The proponent for social justice emphasised that while African countries develop at different paces the world must acknowledge that the continent's nations have achieved certain measures of development.
“You know when I was at AU I always wondered why should our continent only be known for wars and disease. Let us look at the other side of the coin rather just seeing poverty, despair and conflicts. I am not wishing this away; I am sure it is the reality of the continent,” she said.
She said there should be a clear distinction between peace and development and that is not just the absence of war but indeed the absence of poverty and deprivation.
Gawanas yesterday told Namibian Sun that she brought a wealth of experience with African governments and heads of state to the United Nations portfolio.
“I always believe that the reason why organisations such as the AU and UN exist is to first and foremost serve the people. Poverty is a big challenge on the continent. I feel that maternal mortality is still unacceptably high in our area,” she said. Gawanas said she looked forward to share Namibia's social protection systems with other African countries that do not have these systems in place.
Gawanas's appointment has been well received across the region and the rest of the world.
The minister of international relations and cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, yesterday described Gawanas as exceptionally qualified for the position.
“Having distinguished herself as AU commissioner for social affairs, a position to which she was twice overwhelmingly elected and served for eight years, we have full confidence in her intellectual abilities and professionalism. Her vast experience on AU will serve her in good stead in her new position, thus facilitating the consolidation of effective cooperation between the AU and the UN,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, congratulated Gawanas on her appointment and said Africa would be well served.
“I wish to warmly congratulate our sister Bience Gawanas for being appointed to this important position to which she brings her formidable continental experience as a former commissioner of social affairs and as a legal scholar and an advocate for social justice and equity in her native Namibia,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
UN secretary-general António Guterres this week appointed Gawanas to the high-profile position to succeed Maged Abdelaziz of Egypt.
Gawanas, who previously served as commissioner of social affairs at the African Union Commission, currently serves as the special adviser to poverty eradication minister Zephania Kameeta.
She singled out the resilience of African women toiling in fields to feed themselves, as well as the kaleidoscope of cultures that attracts tourists, as areas that must be celebrated.
The proponent for social justice emphasised that while African countries develop at different paces the world must acknowledge that the continent's nations have achieved certain measures of development.
“You know when I was at AU I always wondered why should our continent only be known for wars and disease. Let us look at the other side of the coin rather just seeing poverty, despair and conflicts. I am not wishing this away; I am sure it is the reality of the continent,” she said.
She said there should be a clear distinction between peace and development and that is not just the absence of war but indeed the absence of poverty and deprivation.
Gawanas yesterday told Namibian Sun that she brought a wealth of experience with African governments and heads of state to the United Nations portfolio.
“I always believe that the reason why organisations such as the AU and UN exist is to first and foremost serve the people. Poverty is a big challenge on the continent. I feel that maternal mortality is still unacceptably high in our area,” she said. Gawanas said she looked forward to share Namibia's social protection systems with other African countries that do not have these systems in place.
Gawanas's appointment has been well received across the region and the rest of the world.
The minister of international relations and cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, yesterday described Gawanas as exceptionally qualified for the position.
“Having distinguished herself as AU commissioner for social affairs, a position to which she was twice overwhelmingly elected and served for eight years, we have full confidence in her intellectual abilities and professionalism. Her vast experience on AU will serve her in good stead in her new position, thus facilitating the consolidation of effective cooperation between the AU and the UN,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, congratulated Gawanas on her appointment and said Africa would be well served.
“I wish to warmly congratulate our sister Bience Gawanas for being appointed to this important position to which she brings her formidable continental experience as a former commissioner of social affairs and as a legal scholar and an advocate for social justice and equity in her native Namibia,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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