Zanele Magwaza

South African activist combating HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence through community empowerment

Zanele Magwaza is a South African social activist and founder of the Emnati Economic Empowerment Trust, which focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention and gender equality. Her work emerged in the 1990s during the HIV/AIDS crisis, addressing stigma and empowering women through economic opportunities. Magwaza pioneered community-led initiatives, including vocational training and health education programs, to reduce vulnerability among marginalized groups. She co-founded the South African Civil Society Information Service, amplifying voices on social justice. Her advocacy led to partnerships with UN agencies and influenced national policies on gender-based violence. Magwaza’s approach blends grassroots mobilization with policy advocacy, making her a key figure in South Africa’s social movements. Explore her work via Wikipedia.