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Southern Africa

With a presence and a track record of more than 30 years in Southern Africa, Hivos has been seeking new and creative solutions to persistent global problems. Our founders held the conviction that “necessary changes should spring from communities themselves – from people at the base of society”.

This is still reflected in our work today, as we support our frontrunners to innovate for change in their home environments. It is in this light that Hivos took the important decision in 1985 to decentralize its work from The Hague (the Netherlands) to regional offices. In 1988, Hivos’ first regional office was opened in Harare, Zimbabwe, with project offices following in Malawi and Zambia.

Over the years, our work has covered multiple sectors, amongst which human rights, good governance, climate change, digital rights, arts and culture, sustainable development, small and micro-enterprise development, and microfinance. In addition, we have focused on the specific rights of various groups that Hivos recognized as marginalized, in particular women, LGBTIQ+ people, and people living with HIV.

Our impact

Nana Zulu

Regional Director Hivos Southern Africa

Nana Zulu has over 15 years of experience in international development programming and innovations with a focus on human rights advocacy, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), program management and feminist leadership. She has worked across East and Southern Africa for national and international organizations managing advocacy and influencing, political economy analysis and movement building.

Nana holds qualifications in public administration, psychology and human rights law.

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