Japan has supported socioeconomic development and support programmes at grassroots level in South Africa for more than a quarter century, Japanese ambassador Norio Maruyama pointed out recently, when giving the introductory address at a project contract signing ceremony at the embassy in Pretoria.

These projects fall under the ambit of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme. The South African element of this programme also covers eSwatini and Lesotho. In all, 17 projects spread across the three countries are receiving funding this year.

Since the GGP programme was launched in South Africa, R500-million has been awarded to 650 projects. (These figures exclude eSwatini and Lesotho.)

“This year, we have given special attention to two things, [in checking] the empowerment of women, particularly women’s health – Japan is committed to the empowerment of women,” he highlighted. “The second field we wish to emphasise this year . . . [comprises] institutions that assist people with disabilities.”

The focus on women is in line with the fact that the Japanese government will this year be hosting the sixth World Assembly for Women. This will be held in Tokyo next month. The emphasis on people with disabilities is linked to the 2020 Paralympics, which will also be held in Japan, later this year.

Women’s health projects being funded this year include a mobile clinic, with a Fujifilm ultrasound unit (donated by the manufacturer), for women who work on farms. This clinic will be donated to the Hoedspruit Training Trust/Hlokomela Project, which operates in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.

Another beneficiary is the Eluthandweni Maternity Clinic, in Vosloorus, south-east of Johannesburg, which will receive an ambulance and medical equipment worth R1-million to help the clinic provide affordable and good-quality healthcare, and reduce infant and maternal mortality. For example, the ambulance will ensure better access for patients to emergency maternal treatment.

A third organisation being aided is the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture, in the Western Cape province. This will be provided with a mobile mental healthcare clinic and two vehicles. These will provide dignity and privacy for survivors of violence and torture.

Regarding people with disabilities, the construction of a skills centre for severely intellectually disabled children will be funded. This will be at the Makhaloaneng Primary School, at Maluti-A-Phofung, in the Free State.

Further, the GGP programme will pay for renovations at the Londanani Care Centre, in Makhado, Limpopo province. A vehicle equipped with wheelchair hydraulics will also be donated.

The 2020 GGP programme also embraces other projects. These include the construction of school science laboratories and standard classrooms, early childhood development centres, and ‘drop-in’ centres (which provide safe havens for children and teenagers). Other projects focus on the provision of sustainable energy, renovating and extending skills development facilities, and the provision of converted vehicles.

“We try to be diverse in our selection process, as we believe everyone deserves to have access to facilities that offer them dignity and improve their lives,” said the embassy in its statement. “We are proud of the sterling work the GGP Programme has delivered over the last 30 years, providing South Africans from all walks of life with a better standard of living and learning. We also applaud this year’s recipients and their commitment towards positively shaping the lives of South Africa’s communities and fulfilling the Japanese government’s concept of ‘human security’.”