The South African government is to transfer R170-million it donated to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) to source food aid for southern Africa into the WFP’s bank account in South Africa by March 31, Department of Foreign Affairs representative Ronnie Mamoepa told I-Net Bridge on Tuesday.
WFP information officer Jennifer Abrahamson confirmed that the WFP has yet to receive the R170-million donation from the South African government. The sharp decline in the South African spot price of maize means the South African government’s R170-million donation for food aid for southern African could now buy 190 000 tons of maize, up from the intended 100 000 tons when it was first offered in 2002 by President Thabo Mbeki.
Spot March white maize is currently quoted on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) at 877 rand a ton, down from R1 400 a ton at the time of the official handover of the donation on January 29, 2003.
Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs are still awaiting the signature and approval of Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to be able to transfer the R170-million to the WFP in South Africa.
The money donated to the WFP is for the procurement of largely South African maize but the WFP can also use South African maize suppliers to source
international maize.
The South African government has instructed the WFP to procure the maize in
tranches so that tenders do not disturb the local agricultural market. – I-Net Bridge