At a time when alarming numbers of people with HIV/AIDS seek help under cover of darkness, deeply ashamed of their plight, it is crucial to find ways to better comprehend and address the specific nature of stigma around HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. Drawing on a cross-disciplinary, critical review of academic literature on this issue, the authors explore a range of theoretical approaches to conceptualizing stigma. Highlights the theoretical and methodological approaches that are most relevant in southern Africa.