Our work in the region aims to improve the lives of vulnerable people living fifteen SADC Countries. This work is delivered by highly capable program teams at all levels in the countries and complemented by regional and global capacity predominantly around fundraising, influencing, program quality and learning.
Across the region, we partner with others to achieve change at scale through influencing local, national, regional and global policies and practices of states and the private sector, to augment and strengthen civil society capacity and to broker partnerships. We work to ensure women and men’s immediate needs for protection and support are met, and to develop solutions to improve people’s lives in the long term.
Our approach
We recognise and value the people’s agency over their lives and the decisions that impact them. Our partners, allies, stakeholders, and the communities we work with will take the lead while we enable local actors to influence the systems and institutions that hold power and resources needed to tackle poverty and inequality.
We are creating a vibrant and diverse civic space in order for these changes to be possible and sustainable. We therefore commit to strengthening that civic space and promote democratic governance.
Our success as Oxfam in Southern Africa depends, in many ways, on the quality of our partnerships with the youth and women’s movements as well as delivering interventions that are rooted in local context. Youth-led progressive and feminist movements are some of the most powerful drivers of change in many countries, pushing path-breaking progress on political accountability, climate justice, gender equality and economic transformation.
We are convenors and brokers: We recognise the value of networks, people power, shared platforms, and capabilities for influencing, collaboration, knowledge building in challenging complex issues in rapidly changing contexts.
We are feminist: We recognise that there is no economic, social, and environmental justice without gender justice. Feminist principles guide all our action and interaction.
We fight inequality and injustices: We take sides against poverty and injustice everywhere, working with people, communities, partners and allies for just and sustainable solutions.
We are humanitarian: We work with communities before, during and after crises to build their resilience, save lives, and together address the root causes of conflict and disaster. We are committed to supporting local leadership in humanitarian work, and we will actively seek partnerships with local CSOs in our humanitarian work in the region.