Events

The current five-year strategic partnership between Flanders and Malawi is outlined in the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) 2019-2023, and focuses on the agricultural sector, more specifically on extension services, market-oriented farming and sustainable land management. The CSP guides the programming of projects and supports continuous monitoring and evaluation by Flanders and its implementing partners to measure the projects’ success and impact.

These processes provide a narrative with numbers, graphs and measurement indicators. However, that is only a part of the story. The real impact and value of a project can only be ascertained at grass roots level. With this in mind, we interviewed 55 beneficiaries of Flanders-funded projects in Malawi to understand the impact, if any, on their lives.

The eighth bilateral consultation between Flanders and Malawi took place in Lilongwe on 17 November.

Flanders has been active in Malawi since 2007. Every five years a country strategy paper is drawn up which gives direction to the cooperation between both governments. The third, and current, Country Strategy Paper runs until the end of 2023, and focuses entirely on the agricultural sector.

The Government of Flanders is awarding grants to two projects in Tete province in Mozambique. Both projects improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). They specifically target vulnerable groups and focus on mothers and newborns.

On the 19th of November, from 10am to 4pm, the 11th edition of A Taste Of Belgium take place at the foot of Table Mountain in Newlands, in the Belgian Residence at 29 Boshof Avenue.

The Government of Flanders grants 3 million euros in funding to the 'Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP)' of UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank. It is an extension of the current support. From this year until 2025, the HRP will receive 750.000 euros annually.

From 10-16 October, the Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni hosted the Body Moves International Inclusive Dance Festival. The festival showcased the work of both able bodied and other abled dancers, featuring eight dance companies (three from South Africa and five international). Dance and disability workshops, professional exchange workshops and forums took place during the week.

From 12 to 14 October, General Representative of Flanders in Southern Africa, Dr Geraldine Reymenants, accompanied by colleagues from the Delegation of Flanders in Mozambique, visited Flanders-funded projects which aim to improve access to inclusive, gender-sensitive and quality sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and youth in Tete Province. The busy three days included courtesy meetings with representatives of the State Secretary and Governor for Tete Province.

From 10 - 16 October 2022, Sibikwa Arts Centre presents the Inaugural BODY MOVES International Inclusive Dance Festival for able-bodied and disabled dancers. The Festival includes dancers and dance companies from Ireland, Flanders, Italy and Netherlands, supported by their Embassies, as well as from South Africa and Uganda, supported by the British Council.

For Flanders, Lisi Astaras' Monkey Mind Cie will perform together with SA's Unmute Company during the performances which will take place on 15 and 16 October, from 14:00 to 16:00.

Two beings, Betto and Jina appear in an unknown place. Are they clowns? Futuristic visitors? In dealing with their relationship crisis in public, they provide the audience with a mirror image by back-projecting a future social evolution onto the present, creating an entertaining dialogue in which the critical exposure of present-day society parallels the threatening disintegration of the couple’s lives. Flemish author, actor, and theatre-maker, Peter de Graef, is well known for his unchaining fantasy, without losing sight of his social commitment. Ingenious, humorous, and extravagant.

The Premier of the Western Cape Government of South Africa, Mr Alan Winde, was visiting Flanders for a few days as part of a wider European trip. On 27 September 2022, Minister-President Jan Jambon received the Premier at the Errera House. This was already the second meeting between them. Minister-President Jambon previously met Premier Winde during his mission to South Africa in April 2022.