SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONDUCTS MONITORING VISIT TO ISIQALO ESISHA FOUNDATION IN MPUMALANGA

By Tholakele Makena.

• The Department of Social Development (DSD) visited Isiqalo Esisha Foundation in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality to monitor the rollout of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) programmes.
• The oversight visit ensures funded NPOs implement HIV prevention interventions in line with national guidelines and deliver measurable impact.
• More than R25 million has been allocated to NPOs in Mpumalanga this year to reduce HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse.

The National Department of Social Development (DSD), through its HIV and AIDS Prevention Directorate, conducted a site monitoring visit on 19 September 2025 to the Isiqalo Esisha Foundation in the Nkangala District, Mpumalanga Province. The purpose of the visit was to assess the implementation of the Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) programmes being rolled out in the region.
Dr Luzile Nziyane, Director for HIV and AIDS Prevention at the National DSD, explained that the visit formed part of the Department’s oversight function to ensure that funded non-profit organisations (NPOs) are delivering SBC programmes in line with prescribed guidelines. “The Department developed these programmes to reduce risky sexual behaviours and ultimately curb the spread of new HIV infections, particularly among vulnerable populations,” she said. “This visit was crucial in determining whether the NPO is operating within the expected implementation framework, while also identifying challenges and capacity gaps that may require intervention.”
Isiqalo Esisha Foundation is one of several NPOs funded to implement the SBC compendium, which includes a suite of interventions such as You Only Live Once (YOLO) for youth aged 15-24, ChommY for children under 14, Boys Championing Change, Men Championing Change, the Family Matters Programme, the Rock Leadership Programme for traditional leaders, and the Community Capacity Enhancement (CCE) methodology.
A total of R25,548,000 has been allocated by the Department to support eligible NPOs in Mpumalanga during the 2025/26 financial year. Dr Nziyane said that site visits provide assurance that funding is being used effectively and for its intended purpose reducing HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse.
The monitoring process also covers governance, financial management, and the experiences of facilitators working directly with communities. Deputy Director Lethabo Maredi elaborated on the scope of the SBC programmes. “These interventions are designed to prevent new infections of HIV, TB, and sexually transmitted infections, while also mitigating the social impact of these epidemics. Programmes such as ChommY and YOLO offer age-appropriate, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, while others like Men Championing Change and Family Matters tackle harmful gender norms and equip parents to communicate more openly with their children,” she said.
Maredi added that the Rock Leadership Programme plays a particularly important role in mobilising traditional leaders to safeguard their communities, especially women and children.
The Department of Social Development conducts quarterly site visits to all funded implementing partners to track progress and provide technical support. These visits form part of the Department’s commitment to accountability and continuous improvement in the delivery of services that protect and empower vulnerable South Africans.