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Siya Kolisi remembers growing up hungry as he joins global citizen movement

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Siya Kolisi for Global Citizen. Photo: Supplied
Siya Kolisi for Global Citizen. Photo: Supplied

The International advocacy organisation, Global Citizen has this morning unveiled renowned South African rugby player and Spingbok Captain, Siyamthanda Kolisi as a Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 Advocate.

Siya joins Nandi Madida, Pearl Thusi, K Naomi, Zakes Bantwini, Somizi Mhlongo, Lucas Radebe and Maps Mapoyane as Global Citizen: Mandela 100 Advocates.

His focus will be on hunger and nutrition in the African continent.

Taking to social media this morning, Siya wrote about what an auspicious occasion this is for him.

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“As a child, I knew what it was to be hungry. I'm proud to stand with [Global Citizen] and call on world leaders — especially Uhuru Kenyatta (President of The Republic of Kenya), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (President of the Republic of Ghana), Dr John Magufuli (President of The United Republic of Tanzania), Edgar Chagwa Lungu (President of the Republic of Zambia), and Peter Mutharika (President of the Republic of Malawi) — to invest in tackling malnutrition and stunting. See you at Mandela 100?” he said.

The Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 is a free-ticketed event due to take place in honour of Nelson Mandela’s centenary celebrations on Sunday, 2 December 2018 at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.   

“Hunger is huge for me because I grew up with hunger. Global Citizen will have a profound impact on both present and future generations of South Africans through its ongoing skills training programme. This is fundamental to creating a world free of extreme poverty, especially in a country like South Africa, in which over 50% of young people between the ages of 15 and 25 are unemployed,” Siya said in his official statement to the media.

This morning’s announcement marks the start of Global Citizen’s Action Journey 3, the third in a series of opportunities for fans and activists to earn their tickets to the event.

READ ALSO: CELEBS JOIN FORCES TO END EXTREME POVERTY

Although tickets to the festival are free the organisation has fans to partake, through several action journeys, in charitable acts in order to earn their tickets to the event.

Actions in the third leg include:
 
• Calling on South Africa’s Minister of Labour to achieve equal pay for equal work — regardless of gender
• Asking the African Union and Government of Burundi to end discriminatory policies that force expectant teen mothers out of school
• Urging Tanzania, Mozambique, Botswana and Nigeria to tackle neglected tropical diseases, especially trachoma.
 
Additionally, the Global Citizen organisation and its supporters have been calling on the Government of Zambia to commit & show leadership at the December 2nd Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 by increasing nutrition spending by R581 (USD$40) per child.

“This would mean spending an additional R364M (USD$25M) per year towards nutrition. Currently, 40 out of 100 children are stunted, and at risk of cognitive and physical limitations that can last a lifetime,” said Global Citizen.

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This is just one of the many incredible acts taken by the Global Citizens in an effort to end hunger and malnutrition on the African continent.

They have supported local grassroots advocates and NGOs such as the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Network, and the National Food and Nutrition Commission

These issues will be raised at the World Food Day events in both Lusaka, Zambia and Nairobi, Kenya today.

“The events will gather actors from across nutrition, agriculture and food to showcase the two countries’ commitment to addressing hunger and malnutrition. Speakers at the Lusaka event will include Siya Kolisi, South African Rugby Player and Captain of the Springboks; as well as Nandi Madida, South African Singer/Songwriter; Television Presenter; and Cleo Ice Queen Zambian Singer/Songwriter; Radio Personality,” said Global Citizen.

The Global Citizen Festival launched in New York in 2012 and has grown into one of the largest, and most visible platforms for young people around the world calling on world leaders to honour their responsibilities in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ending extreme poverty by 2030.

Global Citizens have generated commitments and policy announcements from leaders valued at over $37.9 billion that are set to affect the lives of more than 2.25 billion people.

The organization has taken its action-based model to Australia, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and Canada, and now South Africa, creating a platform for activists to learn about the issues they care most about, take action, and earn rewards for doing so.

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