Southern Africa remains at the epicenter of the global AIDS epidemic. The area – comprised of Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe - has an adult HIV prevalence exceeding 15%.

The Hyper-Endemic Working Group, co-chaired by Achmat Dangor, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Leonardo Simão of the Joachim Chissano Foundation, and Professor Malekgapuru Makgoba looks at the major challenges around AIDS facing the nations of Southern Africa, from its macro-economic challenges to those facing individual communities and households. The Working Group will explore the following themes:

• Critical Analysis of the context: Why has sub Sahara Africa become a hyper-endemic area and why has our response had the desired impact in the last 25 years? What are the impediments (regional and global) that impact the effective implementation of the AIDS response, from prevention and treatment to governance and the role of the community?
• Forward looking: What will the hyper endemic countries look like in 2031; Is an alternative development paradigm needed to address the epidemic and its impact? How far will current strategies go towards influencing 2031?
• Macroeconomic issues: What are the macroeconomic issues impacting AIDS, including migration, poverty, and equalities?
• Sociology of HIV and AIDS: What have we ignored about sex and the disease in the region, from cultural and socio-psychological issues to sexuality and gender?