The Southern Africa Trust congratulates the 2009 Southern Africa Drivers of Change award winners: Government Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, President of Malawi, recognized for changing Malawi from a country in perpetual food deficit to one that is entirely food sufficient. The boom in this sector has had a direct impact on millions of poor people. Under his leadership, poverty in Malawi has declined from 58 to 42 percent in five years. Through his direct involvement in turning Malawi's future around, he is building new confidence and hope amongst the citizens of Africa in their governments. Civil Society The Luanda Urban Poverty Programme (LUPP) in Angola, for driving systemic change in the way poverty reduction programmes are run in Angola, through a fresh approach that others have struggled to achieve. It is building participatory governance and more effective delivery of housing and basic services such as water. Benefitting over 400,000 of Luanda’s poorest, LUPP has successfully laid the foundation for poor citizens to become active in shaping their futures. Business A unique partnership between Dr Xolile Ngethu, WBHO Construction, and the Commark Trust for driving change in the way corporate social responsibility is practised. When WBHO Construction won the contract to build a road between Mount Frere and Matatiele in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, it partnered with Commark and Dr Ngethu to support black farmers earn more income from their cattle. The initiative has seen black farmers access previously inaccessible red meat markets, turning their cattle into assets that are generating real and lasting returns. The project is making markets work for the poor in the Eastern Cape. Individual Archbishop Njongo Ndungane, for his lifelong commitment to place the poor at the centre of social and economic policies and his efforts to drive change in the way leadership is exercised in Africa. Through his African Monitor initiative, he remains as steadfast as ever in pushing rich countries to meet their commitments to the poor in Africa while also working to ensure that the aid that is given benefits the communities it is intended to reach. Special Commendations were given to Bishop Kevin Dowling of South Africa and Emma Kaliya of Malawi. Bishop Dowling was honoured for his extraordinary contribution to driving social change in many sectors. Emma Kaliya, for her tireless efforts to increase the number of women parliamentarians in Malawi from 14% to 22%. The Southern Africa Trust thanks all the organizations and individuals that submitted nominations.