South Africa, November 2024 – As global leaders gather at COP29 to address the pressing realities of climate change, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), in collaboration with Food & Trees for Africa (FTA), among others, offer a compelling model for integrating community development with environmental restoration. By investing in projects that align with sustainability and adaptation goals, DBSA is demonstrating how targeted, cross-sectoral interventions can address both ecological degradation and social vulnerability.
Central to DBSA’s vision is fostering long-term resilience through sustainable development. Their strong, integrated and cohesive strategy underpins their approach to food security, skills development and early childhood development, contributing to the ongoing success and lasting impact of their initiatives. In a rapidly changing world, communities facing socio-economic challenges are among the first to bear the brunt of climate change. DBSA’s initiatives highlight the importance of empowering these communities with tools, knowledge, and resources to adapt; ensuring they can thrive while contributing to broader climate goals.
One such initiative is the Khomani Cultural Centre on the edge of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape. This project supports the Khomani (Khoisan) community, who are deeply connected to the natural environment but increasingly affected by rising temperatures and ecological changes. By funding their heritage through art sales, medicinal gardens, tree planting, and crafting shelters, DBSA is helping to preserve vulnerable indigenous knowledge systems through adaptive solutions. These efforts enhance economic opportunities and emphasise the role of traditional ecological knowledge in response to modern climate challenges.
Another transformative programme focuses on Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across South Africa. DBSA has equipped 22 centres with sustainable food gardens. These gardens, supported by Permaculture Starter Packs (PSPs), enhance food security and promote education around climate adaptation. They serve as microcosms of sustainable development, addressing immediate nutritional needs, with the potential for infrastructural support currently being assessed, while preparing communities for the long-term impacts of climate change. Homestead networks around each of these little hubs have been identified and selected for Garden in a Bucket (GinBs) resources to further integrate home-based food production.
DBSA’s work aligns closely with the themes of COP29—adaptation, sustainability, and equity. By empowering vulnerable communities with practical, scalable solutions, DBSA bridges the gap between global climate ambitions and local realities. Its projects demonstrate that environmental restoration and social development are not mutually exclusive but are essential components of a sustainable future. In a world where the effects of climate change are felt most acutely by those least responsible for it, DBSA’s initiatives provide a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to resilience.
