About Us

HIVSA was established in 2002 in response to the urgent and growing need for education and psychosocial support for individuals infected and affected by HIV when Anti-retroviral treatment (ART) was not readily available. At the time, the organisation primarily focused on HIV prevention interventions and educating People Living with HIV (PLHIV) about living with HIV. For those individuals that had already been initiated onto ART, HIVSA focused on education around the importance of treatment adherence, the side effects of ART and the management thereof. Much emphasis was also placed on the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT).

HIVSA is a non- clinical organisation and has consistently implemented its community- based interventions through its partnerships with Community- Based Organisations (CBOs). Throughout its history, HIVSA has implemented programmes that contribute towards health and community systems strengthening in response to the HIV pandemic. As ART became more readily available in South Africa (SA), HIVSA adapted its programming to ensure increased access to life saving ART while maintaining its focus on HIV prevention at a community level.

For the past 22 years, HIVSA has implemented programmes with HIV at its core. Our years of experience have taught us that while HIV is a virus and is clinical in nature, human behaviour and the psychosocial and economic factors influencing human behaviour determine the trajectory of HIV infections and the outcomes of HIV programming. As a result, we have diligently identified factors that hinder progress and have implemented additional interventions to mitigate against these factors. These interventions have included the provision of psychosocial support in the form of support groups, sexual and reproductive health education for the populations most vulnerable to HIV infection such as Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), holistic service delivery to Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Youth (OVCY), HIV testing supported by thorough pre and post- test counselling, economic strengthening interventions, brief alcohol screening and education due to the link between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour and prevention of Gender- Based Violence (GBV) interventions and survivor support.

Underpinning our interventions is a community capacity strengthening principle. We have always maintained that for HIV programme interventions to remain sustainable, there is a need to strengthen the capacity of our community partners to deliver these interventions. HIVSA firmly believes in communities taking ownership of their health, social and economic well-being through the transfer of knowledge and skills. In addition, HIVSA has and continues to acknowledge the need for creativity, innovation and agility in the design and delivery of our programmes to ensure their relevance and impact.

Strengthening family and community systems to meet the needs of vulnerable children -

The goal is to improve the health, well-being, and protection of children and adolescents (and their families) living with, affected by, and vulnerable to HIV through high-impact service delivery and social service system strengthening interventions to sustain an effective response for children, adolescents, and their families through locally led solutions thereby supporting the achievement of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023-2028 goals; the Global Alliance Goals to end AIDS in 2030 and the “95-95-95” targets. This programme contributes towards HIV epidemic control by enhancing the quality, comprehensiveness, and sustainability of care and support services to improve the resilience, health, and wellbeing of Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Adolescents and Youth (OVCA&Y).

Driving youth employment through the Social Employment Fund with IDC

HIVSA’s Youth Employment Programme, funded by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), is dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for young South Africans. The programme aims to equip youth with essential skills through learnerships and employability courses, helping them transition from education to meaningful work. As part of this initiative, HIVSA employs 1,000 youth on a part-time basis for 10 months through the Social Employment Fund (SEF) Round 3 grant. Individual participant outcomes are tracked and shared with the IDC, and project successes are published on HIVSA’s platforms.

NextGen Capacity Hub

HIVSA’s Training Department is dedicated to enhancing the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals working to address HIV/AIDS and related health challenges. Our comprehensive training programs are designed to empower Department of Health (DoH) personnel and other stakeholders, equipping them with the tools needed to deliver quality healthcare services. HIVSA has proudly launched the NEXTGEN Capacity HUB, a hybrid online platform, housed on HIVSA’s website which enables users to select the training of their choice, submit a registration form, pay for their selection, receive access to the training material and engage in self-paced accredited training.

Tshireletso Project

With funding from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), HIVSA’s life saving HIV prevention and programmes in the Northwest and Limpopo provinces have been sustained. The National Lottery Commission responded to the USAID funding termination by committing much needed funding to sustain lifesaving HIV interventions.

The goal of the Tshireletso Project (Tshireletso means to protect) is to deliver lifesaving care and treatment services for Children and Adolescents Living with HIV (C/ALHIV) through a child and family centred model, targeting C/ALHIV who do not present to clinics. The project aims to extend community-based case finding and management of Children and Adolescents Living with HIV (C/ALHIV) to ensure greater coverage and support.

Choma Online Magazine

Choma Magazine is HIVSA’s flagship digital platform aimed at empowering young South African women through health education, lifestyle content, and personal development. The magazine focuses on providing information about HIV prevention, care, and treatment, while also addressing issues such as mental health, relationships, and gender-based violence. Choma creates a safe and engaging space for young women to access reliable, youth-friendly information and ask questions anonymously. Through interactive and visually appealing content, Choma promotes positive behavior change and encourages informed decision-making, ultimately supporting South Africa’s goal of achieving an HIV-free generation.

WeCare: Mental Wellbeing Programme

WeCare is a digital storytelling initiative co-created by HIVSA and RNW Media, designed to break the silence around youth mental health and emotional wellbeing. Targeting young people aged 15–29, WeCare provides a safe, moderated digital space where young people can share their experiences, engage in conversations about mental health, and receive supportive responses.