SADC has been responding to the HIV epidemic for more than two decades. One of the most useful avenues for strengthening the response is through sharing the Best Practices

(Effectiveness, Ethical sound, Cost effective, relevance, Replicability, Innovativeness sustainability) on HIV and AIDS between and within the SADC countries, with the aim of guiding and maximize efficiency and effectiveness in response to various faced of the epidemic.

The Best Practices are documents that describe and evaluate against specific criteria, contributing towards a successful intervention in response towards HIV therefore they support continuous learning, feedback, reflection of what works and why. The purpose of this document has been to avoid duplication and promote knowledge.

The Maseru declaration recognizes the change within the SADC region and the success on the Best Practices in changing behavior, reducing new infections, mitigation the impact of HIV- AIDS pandemic. This document will stimulate and encourage exchange of ideas and increased collaboration and coordination, ultimately it shows how Inkwanca has met seven Best Practices as stipulated by SADC, which is also  within its framework that has concentrated on; prevention, ARV, care, literacy treatment, children, education etc. 

It is located in the Eastern Cape in a small town of Molteno in Chris Hani district.

Molteno deteriorated significantly after the closure of mines in the 19^th century. This struck enormous percent of unemployment, poverty, making it one other poorest community in the country. The rate of HIV in the Eastern Cape has been estimated to be at about 11%. This crises has claimed several lives, left children as orphans, neglected and without nutritious food.

• Prgramme start up

Former nurse Mrs. Sophie Manxala and a team of volunteers, who established a soup kitchen to provide for the OVC and the neglected elderly, started it. This team however got support from the various government departments, traditional leaders, Christian outreached programmes, and stakeholders. 

• The multi-disciplinary approach in action

It has successfully employed integrated Home Based centers beyond simply offering basic care at home. It has a dropping center for OVC and provides services for (PLHIV). It has extended providing for shelter for women and abused children and those neglected.   

• Key progamme activities

Nutritional support, community mobilization sensitization, support & care for OVC, social security, tailoring workshops, weaving projects, counseling and psychological support and Home Based Care. 

Evidence of the Best Practices 

• Effectiveness

Inkwanca has been effective in meeting its objectives. Those that are enshrined in the constitution and project inception report. It has also managed to bring together various sectors in a single project to tackle the problem experienced in the community. It has managed to develop OVC and other vulnerable children through educational and recreational activities.

• Ethical soundness 

It has particularly ethically sound interaction with its clients (OVC, PLHIV, and the survivors of abuse). It embraces a rights based approach in its operations as well as encouraging all gender types to take part on the community involvement. All trained members of staff adhere to confidentiality and informant consent.

• Cost effectiveness 

Its vegetable garden, weaving & beading workshops also serves as source of support to the project activity.

• Relevance 

HIV prevalence of the Eastern Cape is an estimated 11%, which is problematic in an area

Where unemployment is 97% and high levels of poverty. This has left thousands of families disintegrated and devastated.

• Replicability 

It has the potential of being replicable within the country and throughout the region. Easily transferable, simple to repeat in similar situation depending on local conditions. 

• Innovativeness 

Inkwanca offers unique response to the endemic by its multi- sectoral approach to programming and addressing the diverse needs of the community. Their leadership in fighting this pandemic and their values has won them the respect of the government.

• Sustainability 

Inkwanca has been largely been sustained by the government, Christian Women’s Trust stakeholders and their own projects. In addition, forgetting the ownership and the participation of the community members.

• Financial sustainability

Due to a high rate of unemployment the community cannot fully engage in assisting to a lager extend as can be desired.

• Need for additional computer equipment

As the project becomes larger, it can no longer depend on one computer to capture all their data.

• Intergovernmental departmental communication

The risk of overlapping in terms of funds and planning because there are so many government departments involved. 

• Multi-sectoral Approaches work best

The project has proved the importance of this being facilitated by a multi-sectoral approach among departments.

• The importance of robust 

Early adoption of accounting and or financial procedure. Easy retrieval of evidence of how money was sent and a system open and available for the auditors.

• Collaboration between DOH and DSD

Joint efforts by the department of government in driving the HCBC agenda as instructed by the cabinet.

• Capacity building

The political commitment of the government department to HIV response initiatives has shown capacity building. 

• Prevention of caregiver burnout

It is well recommended that there should be a carer’s protocol and system in line.

• Equipment

The inkwanca home and community based care project has displayed a significant trait of HIV-AIDS Best Practices by involving not only the government department but also the community at large.

Brief Reports

Evaluating and Drawing Lessons

Framework for Coordinating

Framework for Developing and Sharing

Putting Three Ones principles into Action

SADC EU Project: Making a Difference

SADC HIV and AIDS Unit Institutional Framework