Abstract
This study is about the lives of township women that are plagued by various forms of violence, social suffering, chronic diseases and exploitative relationships with HIV NPOs in Letsholo township. I used a qualitative research approach to conduct the study. My research sample was women who are living with HIV in Letsholo which I accessed through NPOs that provide care to people living with HIV. I gathered the data using face to face conversation style interviews as well participant observation. The findings show that economic, social and political marginalisation has played a role in the exposure of the women to HIV infection. There are several NPOs which are involved in HIV work in Letsholo township that try to assist the women, however, what I found is that these NPOs are part of a chain of exploitative relations. The findings suggest the emergence of an NPO economy in Letsholo. What I also found is that the women themselves actually formed their own social support structures which functioned without these exploitative structures...
M.A. (Development Studies)