Verster, Empowering the poor: The Bible and the poor in informal settlements ...taken into account that these challenges should be met to come to a
better solution. The Africa Progress Report (2010:6) refers to the fact that
good governance and accountability will determine Africa’s future be-
cause the quality of governance is a key determinant in political and
social stability, equitable economic growth and poverty reduction (see
also Meredith 2006:678ff).
2.3 Poverty and development in Africa
Speckman (2007:16) is very critical towards aid towards African devel-
opment from the global north. He is of the opinion that foreign aid is
not helping countries because it does not help them to become eco-
nomically independent. He is of the opinion that Africa should take hold
of its own possibilities and advantages to progress (Speckman 2007:280-
282).
Effah (2006:66) also refers to the challenges in this regard and to the fact
that the belief that Africa’s development will bring about a positive hu-
man factor on the continent failed and that on the contrary corruption
costs Africa about US$200 billion a year. He explains that this amount is
equivalent to the total value of Africa’s external debt and that corruption
and mismanagement are very pervasive in Africa.
2.4 Poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa
Concerning the illnesses and epidemics in Africa, there is a serious
challenge on meeting these problems and responding to it. HIV/AIDS is
a terrible illness and the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Africa sees no end.
The Africa Progress Report (2010:28) describes the situation as follows:
“Despite a decline in the number of new HIV infections, from 2.3 million to
1.9 million between 2001 and 2008, sub-Saharan Africa also remains the
region by far most heavily affected by HIV/AIDS, accounting for 71 % of all
new infections in 2008” (also see Meredith 2006:682).
2.5 Poverty and the economies of Africa
The Africa Progress Report (2010:13-15) explains that Africa’s econo-
mies are far from trouble-free and remain burdened by enormous struc-
tural impediments, both domestically and internationally, that constrain
productive potential and the scope for job creation and lifting of living
standards. The report views the fact that the private sector continues to
face greater regulatory and administrative burdens, and less protection