The extended summary report of the OVC programme in South Afica was conducted as an internet-based and library search of research and programme reports; South African Government policy documents, Acts of Parliament and international agreements; and peer reviewed journal articles, in order to gain an understanding of South Africa’s response to the challenges experienced by OVC. In particular, this literature review sought to understand how the South African Education Department and its stakeholders have responded to the plight of OVC. 

This exercise was guided by specific questions. The information intended by these questions is relevant to The Partnership for Child Development’s (PCD) OVC programme, which seeks to support national school feeding programmes in target countries. 

In addition, the report drew from the proceedings of the one-day workshop on responses to OVC in South Africa, held in July 2013 at the University of Pretoria. The workshop was co-hosted by The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), PCD and the University of Pretoria. Participants were drawn from the National Department of Basic Education, Department of Health, Gauteng Department of Social Development, the United Nations and regional agencies, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and academia. The objectives of the workshop were to obtain the ideas and opinions of the stakeholders, in particular their recommendations, on the draft of this situation analysis of South Africa’s response to OVC.