2006/2007: Abstinence and “Faithfulness”

Summary of fellowship

Suzanne, Mike and Sabelo have investigated the prevention approach of “Abstinence and Faithfulness” through a series of articles. Their work considered whether abstinence is a viable strategy in the face of social issues such as poverty, sexual violence and inequality. Their research also raised questions as to whether the increase in the sales of fidelity-protection medicines is connected to the HIV epidemic, and if churches are doing all they can to communicate effective messages around HIV.

Fellows

Suzanne Leclerc-Madlala

Biography:

Suzanne Leclerc-Madlala (2007) has been working as a lecturer in South Africa since 1986. She has done extensive research in the area of HIV/AIDS over the past decade, and has been actively involved in training and in evaluating HIV/AIDS interventions in KwaZulu-Natal. Her publications include numerous academic articles, as well as many articles written for print media. She has also appeared on radio and television in South Africa (2007).

Mike Saneka

Biography:

Mike Saneka is a practised HIV/AIDS researcher, who also has experience writing for the NGO sector in KwaZulu-Natal. He has worked extensively with traditional healers in an attempt to bridge the gap between the traditional and western approaches to HIV/AIDS (2007).

Sabelo Zondo

Biography:

Sabelo Zondo is an MA student doing research in socio-cultural constructions and meanings of male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal . She has contributed pieces to Isolezwe, and wants to see the media adopting a less complicated take on HIV/AIDS so that less-sophisticated people will better understand the issues that are facing us in South Africa.

Outputs