Media release
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Honouring Those Who Make a Real and Lasting Difference

The inaugural Drivers of Change has been awarded posthumously to Dr José Negrão, a professor of Development Economics at the University of Eduardo Mondlane in Mozambique.

The late Dr Negrão was an influential activist for social justice, a great communicator, a selfless person, an innovator in his research and policy work and devoted to people centred policies. He was a distinguished leader in the development of land law for which he is renowned not only in Mozambique but in Africa as a whole.

In the same light, the Treatment Action Campaign received a special commendation for driving change in policies and strategies to address HIV and AIDS.

Dr Negrão and the Treatment Action Campaign were honoured at a gala event organised by the Southern Africa Trust in partnership with the Mail and Guardian newspaper that took place at Summer Place, Hyde Park, Johannesburg on 26 October, 2006.

“It is gratifying to observe that the awards are premised on profiling less known living examples of innovative processes and practices in anti-poverty work.  Key initiatives at the grass-root level could be lost if not captured and profiled. Indeed, we could learn from these initiatives and even nurture them,” said former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano who delivered a keynote address at the gala event.

The Drivers of Change award was instituted to honour individuals and organizations within civil society, business, and government from the southern Africa region that have demonstrated innovation in the development of effective public policies and strategies to end poverty in the region. The award is an annual event that is coupled with the Mail & Guardian’s annual Investing in the Future awards that is also supported by the Southern Africa Trust.

For more information and comments, please contact Mpho Kgosidintsi or Petronilla Ndebele at +27 11 313 3065

E-mail:
info@southernafricatrust.org

Website:
www.southernafricatrust.org