Oxfam Affiliates have a long history of supporting civil society organizations in South Africa, spanning the pre and post-apartheid period. This short historical document provides a brief glimpse into Oxfam in South Africa and some of its achievements. In South Africa, the involvement of Oxfam grew from just one affiliate to at least ten affiliates working in the country at various times over the years. In 2016, those affiliates hand over the baton to an indigenous Oxfam in South Africa, an entity that has been years in the making.

The purpose of this brief reflection is to offer a light overview of the Oxfam affiliates and their work in South Africa. Each of the affiliates has brought its own flavour to the mother body and so an attempt has been made to reflect this. The affiliates have had significant impacts on the South African landscape over the years.