Working to support orphans and vulnerable children in southern Africa

A reflection on values, principles and organisational issues

The role of indigenous knowledges in development has not been examined enough. Indigenous knowledge systems tend to mean different things to different people, so does culture. Culture is undoubtedly critical for development but often underplayed or misunderstood. Development in Africa remains elusive.

This comprehensive research study is one of the first to scientifically review and make recommendations on HIV/AIDS policy, legislation, financing and programme implementation in the six southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Implementation of the programmes intended to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT) is a major challenge, particularly in developing countries. Despite the controversies about Nevirapine (NVP) resistance, safety and efficacy, it is still widely acclaimed and used in most resource-limited countries because it is affordable, easy-to-use and practical. This study identifies the gaps in NVP use for PMTCT in a rural setting, where almost 42% of pregnant women have no access to healthcare facilities and deliver at home, with the support of traditional birth assistants or family members. As a result, many rural HIV-positive pregnant women deliver without the opportunity of PMTCT therapy provided by ante-natal clinics.

This watershed cultural and demographic survey monitors the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. This study sampled a thorough cross-section of 9 963 South Africans and came up with some surprising results. The Executive Summary contains results, conclusions and recommendations