Training urgently needed for combating nutrition-related deaths

Potchefstroom - The term "hunger" is described as the uncomfortable or painful sensation that is being caused as a result of the need for food. In rounded figures, there are currently nearly seven billion people in the world of which one in every seven is hungry – World Hunger Education Service.

Prof Johann Jerling, director of the Centre for Excellence in Nutrition at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus, is of the opinion that more and more people are dying because Africa does not train enough people to act as ambassadors when it comes to nutritional issues. “Malnutrition and insufficient nutrition are already taking their toll and the trend over the past few years is that it is escalating.”

As part of Jerling’s initiatives around the combating of negative nutritional practices, the tenth ANLP (African Nutrition Leadership Programme) workshop takes place from 13 to 23 March at a venue just outside Potchefstroom. “Here leaders in African nutrition are equipped with the necessary leadership skills to address nutritional challenges in Africa.”

Thirty individuals from across Africa, all with experience in a wide variety of nutrition-related fields, were selected from twelve countries to attend the workshop. Preference was given especially to individuals who have or are busy with a postgraduate qualification, individuals younger than 45 years and persons coming from French speaking countries.

The aim of the workshop is to contribute to the development of future leaders in the field of human nutrition in Africa. The programme focuses on developing the qualities and skills of leaders. The long-term objective of the ANLP is to supplement needs for leadership in such a way that it will solve the nutritional challenges in Africa.