Ubuntu Institute launches research

THE Chief Executive Officer CEO and founder of Ubuntu Institute, Prince Cedza and Dr Edward Green, Director, Harvard University’s AIDS Prevention Research Project will on Wednesday, 24 March 2010 launch a pioneering research study.
This study was conducted in four SADC countries looking at the role of traditional leadership institutions in responding to HIV and AIDS using cultural approaches in Southern Africa. The research launch will take place at the Ezulwini Royal Swazi Spa Hotel, Libandla Room, starting at 9 am.
The study was funded by the Ford Foundation and the WK Kellogg Foundation in Southern Africa in partnership with Harvard University’s AIDS Prevention Research Project.
A total of 144 traditional leaders and members of royal families participated in the research (focus group discussions and in-depth interviews) in South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana and Lesotho.
“The study is the first of its kind. Traditional leaders have largely been left out in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other key cultural institutions as well. Nearly 25 years into the pandemic, current AIDS responses do not, on the whole, tackle the social, cultural and economic factors that drive the spread of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa.
Most HIV/AIDS prevention programmes focus on risk reduction technology (condoms, VCT testing, treating the curable STIs),” Prince Cedza stated.
traditional leaders
He said the purpose of the study was to investigate the role traditional leaders in the SADC region can play in designing evidence based interventions and programmes to reduce the spread of HIV in a region where about 18.8 million people are living with HIV and AIDS and to explore avenues traditional leaders can influence behaviour change especially in rural areas where most Africans reside yet most HIV and AIDS mass-media campaigns do not reach.
Dlamini said the study had a particular emphasis on investigating the role of culture and customary law in addressing the key drivers of the HIV and AIDS generalised epidemic of Southern Africa namely  Multiple Concurrent Partnerships (MCPs), intergenerational and transactional sex,  Gender Based Violence and decline in moral values to name a few.
He said the study sought to gather perceptions, attitudes and understanding of traditional leaders in driving HIV and AIDS interventions in 4 SADC countries and provides a comparative perspective.
policy making
“The study had some useful findings that could assist HIV and AIDS programme design, policy making and programme implementation informed by a cultural perspective and driven by traditional leaders in Swaziland, South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana,” said the Prince.
He observed that traditional Leaders were custodians of African culture and norms, so if properly engaged, they could play a vital role in battling HIV and AIDS, especially in rural communities where they yield significant influence as indigenous leaders in those communities.
The research will be presented by Prince Cedza, “This study seeks to compliment and support ongoing efforts to implement the Swaziland National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework currently driven by government, non governmental organisations (NGO’s) and broader civil society.” Prince Cedza stated.
The Ubuntu Institute is a non-profit development organisation, focused on promoting the role of culture, heritage and indigenous knowledge systems towards achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals in Africa.  www.ubuntuinstitute.com.

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