My name is Nompumelelo “Mpume” Gumede. I am a Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) specialist with over 20 years of experience in HIV and AIDS work, including in the broader field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), with a special interest in young people and women’s SRHR. I provide research, training, manual development, and technical advisory services on the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities of Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) programmes. My special research interest is in culture-centred, participatory health communication for development and  social change.

I hold a Masters in Social Science degree (Health Communication specialisation) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I am currently completing my PhD in Health Communication investigating Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) in COVID-19 communication from a South African cultural perspective. I have worked as a consultant on a wide range of research and programme development activities related to adolescent and youth SRHR and HIV communication. Some of my clients include Community Media Trust (South Africa), Twist Theatre Projects (South Africa), Engender Health/SHIPP, FHI 360, UNAIDS, M&C Saatchi/KP Reach, The South African Red Cross Society, Centre for Community Impact (CCI), Save the Children Sweden, Save the Children International, UNESCO, Johnson & Johnson Global Public Health, and UNFPA across several African countries.

My more recent work includes exploring Meaningful Youth Participation (MYP) with Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in a youth-led HIV prevention programme in South Africa. Some of my work on MYP and youth leadership in HIV programming has been presented at several local and international conferences, including the South African AIDS Conference, Communication for Change Conference in South Africa, Women Deliver Conference in Vancouver, Canada and the Virtual IAS Conference in 2020.

I live in South Africa, but have travelled extensively in several African countries and abroad on a range of assignments.