Oxfam in Southern Africa Cluster is part of a movement in the southern Africa region working with the most vulnerable and poor sections of our society to challenge and advocate for the transformation of our growth and development models.

With country offices in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Oxfam in Southern Africa Cluster has been working in the region with local civil society organization, marginalized individuals, think tanks and social movements for close to 60 years. Our current strategy sets out a commitment to a just and sustainable future for all people in the whole Southern Africa Development Community Region.  

The current growth and development models of in SADC have worsened inequality and fail to meaningfully reduce poverty and secure people’s rights. Southern Africa continues to be the region with the highest number of ‘unequal countries’ across the globe, as the legacy of centuries-old settler colonialism and the structural inequalities it entrenched keep casting a long shadow on the region.

An estimated 88 million people (45% of the population) live in extreme poverty across the region- this accounts for 9% of extreme poverty globally, even though Southern Africa only accounts for about 2.5% of the world population. It is often women and girls who shoulder the burden of systemic poverty, injustices, and inequalities, in addition to the unending scourge of gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation and abuse of girls.

The increased frequency and severity of climatic shocks, such as cyclones and droughts, worsens the likelihood of recurring humanitarian crises given the weak resilience and adaptive capacities of most countries in the region. Natural hazards continue to turn into humanitarian emergencies leaving millions of people displaced and without secure livelihoods.

Despite the many challenges bedeviling the region, there are opportunities to transform our economic and development models in ways that can boost equitable growth, reduce poverty and inequality, and broaden economic inclusion.

 

Our Vision

A just and sustainable future for all people in Southern Africa.

Our Mission

We fight inequality to end poverty and injustice.

Our Values

Equality: We believe everyone has the right to be treated fairly and to have the same rights and opportunities.

Empowerment: We acknowledge and seek to expand people’s agency over their lives and the decisions that impact them.

Solidarity: We join hands, support, and collaborate across boundaries in working towards a just and sustainable world.

Inclusiveness: We embrace diversity and difference and value the perspectives and contributions of all people and communities in their fight against poverty and injustice.

Accountability: We take responsibility for our action and inaction and hold ourselves accountable to the people we work with and for.