The Durban launch of the WHEAT Trust will be a breakfast function to be held at Sica's Guest House, 19 Owen Avenue, Mayville, on April 26 from 07h30 to 09h30. The keynote speaker will be Cllr Nomusa Dube, Speaker of the eThekwini Unicity.

The WHEAT Trust was established in June 1998 in the Western Cape by a group of educators. Its principal aim is to support and strengthen South African women's commitment to community development. Sponsorships from the Institute for International Operations of the German Adult Education Association (DVV) and the Mott Foundation enabled the Trust to set up an office employing an administrator and a fundraising co-ordinator in Cape Town.

The first WHEAT project, establishing the Anne Hope Bursaries, enabled 14 women to attend training programmes in HIV/AIDS counselling, early childhood learning and adult literacy. A further project, the WHEAT Trust Community Award, enabled three community groups to attend additional training programmes. Business management training has also enabled groups of women to create employment and grow their projects.

Ms Tina Thiart, the Trust's Fundraising co-ordinator, is encouraging women from various disciplines to attend the Durban launch: “We are looking for women in decision making positions, women in training of developmental workers at training institutions, women working in the AIDS world, women in media and prominent political women,” she says.

The main objectives of the WHEAT Trust are the building of a civil society through women's development and to encourage a culture of giving.

Each delegate is requested to donate R40 to cover catering costs. Interested women who would like to attend can contact Anthea or Penny at 031 261-7225 or johnston@iafrica.com