Yezingane Network is a civil society network of networks representing thousands of organisations and individuals working around the country working to address the impact of HIV & AIDS on children, families and communities in South Africa.
Background:
Yezingane Network was formed in 2003 after the Children’s Rights Centre called for better representation of children’s issues on SANAC & the NGO Sector recommended to SANAC that the Children’s Sector be represented in its own right in the SANAC Council. The founding members included ACESS, Childline-SA, CINDI, Soul City, Idasa, SASPCAN, TAC, and Lawyers for Human Rights -HIV/AIDS Project amongst others.
Focus of work:
Our network members include networks that bring together thousands of organisations, which provide the bulk of civil society support to children. This support is extended to children who are coping with violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, children who are living in poverty, children who live with HIV & AIDS (CLWHA), as well as children affected by HIV & AIDS working throughout the country in urban, peri-urban & rural areas to limit, mitigate & redress the increasingly negative impact of HIV & AIDS on children’s lives, & on the lives of the women & the families & communities that nurture & care for them.
The Yezingane Network co‐ordinates the Children’s Sector representation on the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) champions the children’s sector activities in support of the HIV and AIDS and STI National Strategic Plan for South Africa (NSP) 2007‐2011. The goals of the sector are to:
- Improve the effectiveness and ‘cohesion’ of civil society in addressing issues affecting children especially in relation to HIV/AIDS in South Africa at all levels
- Participate meaningfully and effectively in SANAC structures, and work towards improved coordination with other relevant bodies and forums
- Support the implementation and monitoring of the NSP to fulfill, promote and protect children’s rights
Contact details for Yezingane Network Secretariat
All enquiries and correspondence should be directed to the Network Secretariat housed in the Children’s Rights Centre. Contact Meera LeVine or Hema Somai on:
Tel: 031 307 6075
Fax: 031 307 6075
Email: or or
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3630, Durban, 4001
Physical Address: 353 Dr. Pixley KaSeme Street, 22nd Floor Eagle Building, Durban
Contact details, photo and bio for the sector spokespeople
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Cati Vawda – has been active in promoting children’s rights for over 15 years, working at the Children’s Rights Centre where she is now the Director. She is one the Children’s Sector Representatives on the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). Her academic background is in public health with a focus on primary health care. Contact Cati on or telephone on 031 307 6075. |
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Menaka Jayakody is Programme Manager in CHAiN (Children's HIV/AIDS Network) & CBCC (Community Based Care Coalition) of NACOSA (Networking AIDS Community of South Africa). She is a qualified occupational therapist with extensive experience in community development, networking and psychosocial support services. She has a keen interest in new methods of working with children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Menaka is also a Children’s Sector representative on SANAC. She is also part of the Treatment Care and Support Technical Task Team. Contact Menaka on chain@nacosa.org.za or telephone on 021 461 7953. |
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Dr Ashraf Coovadia is a Paediatrician and Head of Paediatric HIV and PMTCT services as Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Johannesburg. He’s a very well respected leader, clinician and researcher who has been a long time advocate for women and children’s rights to health. Ashraf is a long standing advocate for PMTCT; and is also the Gauteng PMTCT Working Group. He is one of the Children’s sector representatives on SANAC, where he co-chairs the Treatment Care and Support Technical Task Team. Contact Ashraf on or telephone on 011 470 9290. |
Photos and bios for all sector leaders.
Electronic copies of resources:
All Sector resources are available for downloading via the Network website www.crc-sa.co.za/yezingane
These materials are available in hardcopy, contact the Secretariat to request these.
- Yezingane Network Brief - More about the Network
- Brief - Key messages on children and HIV and AIDS
- What does the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS mean for Children? A guide for individuals and organisations working for Children.
- Scorecard 2009 Weighing up South Africa’s response to children and HIV and AIDS
Members of the Yezingane Network: