The Masihlanganei Network has identified the institutionalization of an Eastern Cape PLWHA Summit as one of its four major initiatives.

The 2005 Eastern Cape People Living with HIV & AIDS (PLWHA) Summit was held from November 1 – 4 in East London. Among the 250 Masihlanganeni delegates were our twenty-one Health Advocates and members of the newly constituted Provincial Network Committee who were elected during the seven District Summits held in July, August, and September. In addition to the PLWHA sector, representatives from local government, tertiary institutions, the Faces of AIDS Project, and NGOs from the Districts attended.

This year, the Eastern Cape PLWHA Summit was held in conjunction with the national Masibambisane HIV & AIDS NGO Summit, which brought together 600 representatives from across the country and included representatives from the National Departments of Education, Social Development, and Health.

Eastern Cape PLWHA Summit delegates held two days of meetings on their own and then joined the Masibambisane Summit for the final two days. Presenters at the PLWHA Summit included: Mrs. Makwedini of the HIV & AIDS Directorate; Dr. Gilbert Matsabisa of the Medical Research Council; Reverend L. M. Ntshingwa of the Eastern Cape AIDS Council; Dr. K. Kasongo of Path Care; Thembi Ngubane-Zungu of South Africa Partners; Vuyani Jacobs from the South African National AIDS Council; Mojapele Maserame of the National Department of Health; and Pastor Linge Jadezweni.

In addition to the South African stakeholders, Masihlanganeni’s partners in the U.S. greatly contributed to the Summit. Massachusetts Department of Public Health member Sophie Lewis and JRI Health members Douglas Brooks and Carmen Negron led trainings on important topics such as leadership development and capacity-building. SA Partners' Board member, Dr. Phakamile Madikiza was able to attend most of the Summit and participated in the first meeting of the Masihlanganeni Provincial Network Committee.

Summit participants identified recommendations that will be addressed by the Provincial Network Committee in 2006. SA Partners looks forward to keeping you informed as the Provincial Network Committee begins to implement recommendations from the Summit.

For a copy of the 2005 Summit Report, please contact Thembi Ngubane-Zungu in South Africa at sapartners@telkomsa.net or SA Partners in Boston at info@sapartners.org.