The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) aims to be a truly South African university that reflects the society in which it is situated – not only in terms of race, gender and class – but in terms of how it structures its values and priorities and how it responds to social needs. As an institution of higher learning, it is committed to academic excellence, innovation in research and critical engagement with society. With its vision to be the Premier University of African Scholarship, the University of KwaZulu-Natal draws inspiration from an African identity and takes seriously its responsibilities to the development of the African continent.
The info4africa national directory project is funded by the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) through PEPFAR/USAID. The FPD has been registered with the Department of Education as a Private Higher Institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Registration Certificate number 2002/HE07/013). The FPD is also an accredited service provider for continuous professional development (CPD) by the Medical and Dental Professions Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).The FPD is currently the largest self funding health sector educational provider in South Africa. The FPD has three key focus areas: education, research and capacity building – more specifically in the areas of health and management. info4africa is a partner of the FPD through the Compass Project. This FPD initiative strives to assist communities to respond effectively to HIV through three key programmes: 1) an HIV and AIDS Mapping and Research Centre to achieve accurate epidemiological data and gap analysis for communities; 2) Information and Resource Collaboration for locating HIV and AIDS services/organisations; and 3) Organisational Development and Capacity Building through organisational needs assessments, benchmarking and skills building for community organisations.
AdaptiT was formed from a unique group of KwaZulu-Natal based IT companies, including InfoWave (Pty) Limited, ApplyIT (Pty) Limited, Adapt-IT (Pty) Limited and more recently ITS Holdings (Pty) Limited based in Pretoria. AdaptIT's services and solutions span the complete IT life-cycle from consulting and application design through to delivery and support. The business sectors in AdaptIT are active include manufacturing, mining, education and financial services together with the public sector. Drawing upon expertise in multiple domains, technologies, tools and platforms, we utilise both industry-standard and innovative proprietary methodologies as well as best practices to design, develop and deliver practical solutions and extraordinary results for our customers. AdaptIT develop, design, maintain and enhance the info4africa database, website and technological systems, enabling info4africa to bring its referral network to all of South Africa.
Always Active Technologies works in partnership with info4africa to produce the info4africa Mobile Directory, accessible by dialing *130*448# (Vodacom subscribers dial *120*448#)on a mobile handset. Founded in 2001, AAT is about Mobile, Web and Mapping solutions based on integrity and customer satisfaction at the core of everything we do. AAT is a Wireless Application Service Provider (WASP) integrating into the cellular networks - Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and 8ta. AAT is proud to be South Africa's Warmest WASP, based in sunny Durban on South Africa's East Coast!
Landou Graphic Design offers a professional and creative Graphic Design service that is essentially concerned with the creation and manipulation of imagery and text to communicate a meaningful message. Landou focuses on customer service ensuring that any graphic need will be satisfied, therefore leaving our clients with the freedom to focus on their core business. Landou offers a long-term, results-driven service that strives for continuous improvement.
YoungAfricaLive is a mobile community for entertaining and educating young people around the topics of love, sex and relationships in the time of HIV. Over 1 million South African youths are part of the YoungAfricaLive community, which makes it one of the largest youth portals on the continent. Created by the Praekelt Foundation and sponsored by Vodacom Foundation, YoungAfricaLive is accessible via VodafoneLive. YoungAfricaLive is unique in that it communicates life-saving information about HIV/AIDS and sexual health to young people in a way that is engaging, interactive, entertainment-oriented, fun, interactive, and provocative. It is characterised by an empathetic and caring community of peers that are interested in each other and very interested in helping each other by offering their advice and support.
The Development House (TDH) is a 100% woman-owned software development company based in Durban. TDH’s market focus for their customised software development services is the Public Sector, SME Sector and Civil Society Organisation Sector nationally. TDH is recognised locally and internationally as a company of high potential entrepreneurs who are experts in their field and in touch with their market. TDH has enjoyed award-winning success and are acknowledged for their ground-breaking technology solutions to social challenges. They are regarded as a IT company with a business mind and a socially responsible heart.
Avert has 250+ webpages providing comprehensive information on global HIV/AIDS issues, quizzes, images, videos, teaching materials and personal testimonies.
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Cell-Life is a not-for-profit organisation that develops technical systems for the HIV sector. Our vision is to improve the lives of people infected and affected by HIV in South Africa through appropriate use of technology. We have three main products: 1. Intelligent Dispensing of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (iDART) which is a software system that currently dispenses ARVs to over 70,000 people monthly in 32 clinics; 2. EMIT which is a cellphone data capture system; and 3. Cellphones for HIV which is a programme applying mobile technology to assist over 100 organisations in prevention, treatment and care.
The African Medical and Research Foundation’s (AMREF) strategy seeks to strengthen health systems and to design and enhance interventions that improve people’s access to health through their active participation. Informed by Africa’s health crisis, AMREF’s comparative advantage and five decades’ experience of working with communities and health systems in the region, the AMREF strategy will be pursued through three interdependent programme themes: Community Partnering for Better Health; Health Systems and Policy Research and Capacity Building.
The AIDS Consortium (AC) is a human rights organisation committed to openness and non-discrimination on the basis of HIV/AIDS. To this end, the Consortium brings together organisations and individuals in a network that processes information and works towards an equitable response to the pandemic. The AC has an affiliate membership of over 1000 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and individuals fully engaged in AIDS work, and currently represents the broader NGO sector on the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). The AIDS Consortium has assisted info4africa in ensuring that all of their member organisations with HIV-related expertise are included in the database.
AIDSPortal is a global initiative that aims to facilitate greater knowledge sharing and networking among organisations involved in the response to HIV and AIDS. It focuses on developing or adapting simple tools that can support country-led networking and knowledge sharing. AIDSPortal primarily works in partnership with networks and seeks to strengthen their ability to support the response to the AIDS epidemic.
Childline is a child rights and protection Non-Profit Organisation that runs the national call centre for children in distress or difficulty, as well as a variety of other services relating to child protection and the realisation of children’s rights. Services are offered in every province to ensure that children are assisted in their own language.
The Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) is an initiative of the Department of Education funded under a bi-lateral partnership between the European Commission and the Government of South Africa. info4africa is working with HEAIDS through the HIV Chairs at each of the 23 tertiary institutions in the country to ensure that all tertiary HIV-related support services are indicated on the database. Public access to these support services is usually limited. Details in this regard are indicated for each service listed.
Higher Education South Africa (HESA), the representative body of the University Vice-Chancellors is the implementing agency for the Programme on behalf of the Department, and a Programme Co-ordination Unit (PCU) has been appointed by HESA in this regard. This partnership aims to enhance the referral of HIV infected and affected students & staff at public HEIs to relevant HIV/AIDS Treatment, Care and Support services within communities surrounding the HEI, as well as within their home communities. This will be achieved by using the info4africa referral line, the national online database and hard copy provincial directories of HIV-related services in South Africa.
Medicines Information Centre (MIC) – Toll-free National HIV Health Care Worker Hotline – The Medicines Information Centre, situated within theUniversity of Cape Town’s Faculty of Health Sciences, provides a Toll-Free National HIV Hotline to all health care workers in South Africa. Call us for any HIV/ARV-related clinical enquiries including: HIV testing; Post exposure prophylaxis; Management of HIV in pregnancy and PMTCT; Antiretroviral therapy; Drug interactions; Treatment and prophylaxis of opportunistic infections; Drug availability; Adherence support and Adverse events. Call the Hotline on 0800212506, weekdays 08h30 – 16h30. Staffed by specially-trained and highly-skilled drug information pharmacists.
The Networking AIDS Community of South Africa (NACOSA) is a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, servicing the whole of South Africa. NACOSA seeks to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS through capacity building, networking and strengthening the multi-sectoral response between government and civil society. NACOSA has assisted info4africa in ensuring that all of their member organisations with HIV-related expertise are included in the database.
SABCOHA has formed a working partnership with info4africa, whereby info4africa offers SABCOHA members and associates a 25% discounted rate on the purchase price of each provincial directory. To save R50 on each directory, place your order online – noting that you are a SABCOHA member. Provincial Directories cost R150 each for SABCOHA members and associates. SABCOHA is actively involved in endorsing and promoting the info4africa project to it’s corporate members and through training initiatives. Advertising support and information sharing is also key to this productive partnership. SABCOHA’s corporate database of HIV-related corporate initiatives is now incorporated into the info4africa database. Regular updates on corporate HIV-related data are made available to SABCOHA. info4africa has also partnered with SABCOHA to enable an SMS communication network between SABCOHA and its network of Peer Educators.
When we were considering the design for the cover of our HIV-911 National Directory Series 2, we instantly thought of Umcebo Design, an innovative arts based community empowerment programme located in Ethekwini, KwaZulu-Natal. Umcebo staff have created an impressive beaded and back-lit sign which now graces the walls of the Data Collection Centre. Umcebo and info4africa, together with Forum partner WCRP, recently collaborated with Aleta Armstong of Indlu Finlandia, to launch their manual entitled "A Practical Guide to Grassroots Training in Southern Africa". This is essential reading, which will inspire and grow the work that you do. The manual is can be downloaded here. The Trust aims to establish an inclusive studio workspace for people with special needs and other community members, to use and develop their artistic talents as a means of personal and creative development, as well as to generate income. Umcebo is committed to the broader education and the development of skills for people with special needs, but also aims to include those who have various abilities encouraging contact between all people no matter what their abilities. Umcebo believes that personal empowerment and improved self-awareness is brought about through art, craft, creativity, learning and teaching. Umcebo Design also assists info4africa with supporting the development of the Ubunye Cooperative.
World Conference on Religion and Peace is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace since 1970. Headquartered in New York and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through affiliated inter-religious councils in 70 countries in six continents. WCRP works with info4africa to host and implement a wide range of networking fora and activities.
Christian AIDS Resource and Information Service (CARIS)/ Christian AIDS Bureau (CABSA): CARIS empowers Christian HIV/AIDS initiatives by providing accessible and reliable information on HIV/AIDS. Information is available not only about the scientific, cultural, socio-economic and political aspects of the epidemic but also about the theology and Christian response. Tools and guidelines are available to assist in capacity building for small and large organisations and projects. CARIS provides services through a Resource centre; Help desk, Database and Website. CARIS provides info4africa with information on Faith-Based Organisations working in the HIV/AIDS field and in turn, info4africa updates and returns updated organisational information. CARIS also provides referral to and exposure for info4frica to the Christian-based community.
info4africa and LifeLine have collaborated since 2004 to facilitate use of the referral service by the South African public. The National AIDS Helpline team was also very supportive in assisting info4africa in the development phase of HIV-911, in terms of development of call protocols. Callers to the National AIDS Helpline are routinely offered the option of referral to supplementary support services in their area of need, information for which is gleaned from the info4africa online database and hard copy directory series.
The National Welfare, Social Service and Development Forum is a key coordinating body in civil society with a history of action on matters affecting social welfare in South Africa and beyond. A major driver of social change is a diverse, vocal and ongoing dialogue that engages people across sectors in pursuit of common goals. The NWF provides a space for dialogue on matters that concern civil society and citizens in the pursuit of the realisation of their inherent right to dignity.
OneVoice South Africa (OVSA) is a vibrant and unique non-governmental organisation, which uses innovative and creative ways of actively partnering with young people (13-19 years) on HIV and TB prevention in school. Our programme is appealing to young people as it provides them with a platform to discuss and address HIV, AIDS, TB, life skills, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender and human rights issues. The OVSA Schools Programme is rolled out in 16 schools across KwaZulu-Natal, has been developed in support of the national Life Orientation curriculum and is aligned to the national HIV and TB response.
Enhancing Strategic Information Project (ESI) – John Snow Inc (JSI) The USAID-funded Enhancing Strategic Information (ESI) Project, implemented by John Snow Inc. (JSI), has worked alongside info4africa over the past two and a half years producing all of the maps used in Series 3, 4 and 5 of the hard copy directory. ESI also assists with identifying demarcation changes across the country on an ongoing basis, ensuring info4africa keeps its municipality records as up to date as possible.
The Durban Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre was established on 9th August 2000 and serves as a safe space and drop-in centre providing personal and sexual health services (counseling, advice and support), education and training. We work with schools and social/safety/health care services towards the advancement of service provision for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities specifically and the rest of society in general.
CLEAR is a collaborative effort among donors and partner countries aimed at strengthening partner countries’ capacities and systems in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and performance management (PM) to support a focus on results and evidence-based decisions. CLEAR works to support development anchored in evidence, learning and mutual accountability. CLEAR is an internationally linked centre for capacity building for innovative monitoring and evaluation practice. CLEAR works with governments to better enable them to respond to the demands of citizens.
The Black Sash is an independent, non-governmental Human Rights organisation that has worked tirelessly for justice and equality in South Africa for more than 55 years. The Black Sash is focused on educating and enabling citizens to actively access their constitutional rights whilst holding the State accountable. The Black Sash leads the CMAP project in all provinces, with an active partnership involving HIV-911.
The Ubunye Co-operative was launched in early 2011, in the traditional Zulu village of Mzimela, which is located close to the well-known tourist destinations of Mtunzini and Eshowe. This community-based tourism endeavour provides an authentic experience for tourists, whilst providing economic benefit to locals. The co-operative is situated near to both the Ngonye and Dlinza forests, where the co-operative operates bird-watching trips. info4africa supported the Co-operative's establishment and continues to support their development. Funding for the start-up and sustainability phases were provided by the National Development Agency.
The Sponge Project works to empower the disabled with information about rehabilitation and support services provided by both government and NGOs. The Sponge Project produces a regular newsletter, runs an SMS query service and maintains an extensive database of disability assistance service providers. The Sponge Project's SMS information service can be accessed by sending a message to 072 172 2623.
We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of a number of organizations who provided us with information and support in various ways so that we could bring info4africa to you:
The AIDS Foundation
The Children in Distress Network (CINDI)
Children's HIV Association (CHIVA)
Children's Rights Centre
Cornerstone Christian College
Diakonia Council of Churches
Eastern Cape NGO Coalition
Ethekwini Health Unit - Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality
HealthInsite
HIV-911 Referral Network Members
Landou Graphic Design and Advertising (Pty) Ltd
loveLife
Medical Research Council, Durban
Mum's Mail
National Department of Health, South Africa
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Grantee Organisations throughout South Africa
Right to Care
SA Cities Network
SANGONET
The International Centre for AIDS Care and Treatment Programmes
The Praekelt Foundation
The Sponge Project
The University of KwaZulu-Natal Foundation
Umcebo Design
All the various listserves, newsletters and media that publicised and continue to publicise this project.