This program is now managed by DKT’s affiliate office, the Banake Initiative.
Recently, the United Nations lowered its estimate of the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in sub-Sahara Africa to 25 million, or 60 percent of the worldwide total. However, the HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to worsen in South Africa despite many active, well-financed prevention efforts. By the end of 2008, one on five adults were infected with HIV/AIDS, over five million people were living with HIV, and there were almost 1,000 AIDS deaths per day. Among those ages 15-49, a staggering 71 percent of all deaths are caused by AIDS.
Recognizing the need for an entirely new approach to slow down the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa, in 2008 The Banake Initiative began designing a completely new kind of communications program among Xhosa-speaking townships in Western Cape Province.
The Banake Initiative has chosen Xhosa sites because they have a high incidence of HIV/AIDS and yet are underserved by existing HIV/AIDS prevention programs. In addition, access to service is further limited because providers do not in general speak Xhosa.
Throughout Africa, small-group discussions led by local activists are considered the most powerful method for changing HIV/AIDS-related behaviors. This approach has largely been responsible for Uganda’s success in reducing the incidence HIV/AIDS. Thus far, however, this approach has not taken hold in South Africa.
In Western Cape Province, the Banake Initiative is fielding a team of Xhosa-speaking promoters trained to use local interpersonal networks and intensive in-home discussions to motivate and empower people to take concrete and effective action to protect themselves and their communities from HIV/AIDS.
To date, this program has reached over 200,000 residents of Khayelitsha Township outside Capetown. We estimate that 50 effectively trained field workers could reach 500,000 people over a two-year period at a cost per person of less than one US dollar.
The goal of the South Africa program is to increase self-reported risk reduction practices and reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS. A control population will be used for comparison. DKT believes that the project is ready for replication elsewhere in South Africa.
For more information:
The Banake Initiative – South Africa
Director: Regina Mlobeli
Address: 52 Hlula Street, Harare, Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: 27-71-8686-304, 27-73 7741 845
E-mail: regina@dktsa.org
Web site: www.dktsa.org
Also: Sheron Dlakhulu (sheron@dktsa.org)
