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Southern Africa

With a presence and a track record of more than 30 years in Southern Africa, Hivos has been seeking new and creative solutions to persistent global problems. Our founders held the conviction that “necessary changes should spring from communities themselves – from people at the base of society”.

This is still reflected in our work today, as we support our frontrunners to innovate for change in their home environments. It is in this light that Hivos took the important decision in 1985 to decentralize its work from The Hague (the Netherlands) to regional offices. In 1988, Hivos’ first regional office was opened in Harare, Zimbabwe, with project offices following in Malawi and Zambia.

Over the years, our work has covered multiple sectors, amongst which human rights, good governance, climate change, digital rights, arts and culture, sustainable development, small and micro-enterprise development, and microfinance. In addition, we have focused on the specific rights of various groups that Hivos recognized as marginalized, in particular women, LGBTIQ+ people, and people living with HIV.

Our impact

Kennedy Mugochi

Director Hivos Southern Africa

Kennedy Mugochi is an international development expert who has worked tirelessly towards achieving a free, fair and sustainable world for over 15 years. Through the various portfolios he has held, Kennedy has contributed to critical development in Southern Africa through innovation and program development relying on the inclusive participation of communities in the region. He has built, supported and encouraged programs for international and community development, capacity building and policy analysis. He is also passionate about civil society and the evaluation of complex civil society initiatives in Africa.

Kennedy holds a PhD in Development Studies (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and a post-graduate diploma in International Development (London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London) as well as an MSc and a BSc in Sociology and Social Anthropology from the University of Zimbabwe.

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