NATIONAL WORLD AIDS DAY SPECIAL EVENT

Issued by: Department of Health

MEDIA INVITATION

NATIONAL WORLD AIDS DAY SPECIAL EVENT: BLOEMFONTEIN, FREE STATE

HIV/AIDS is becoming a national crisis. In order to combat this disease all South Africans need to be mobilised. Every year on World AIDS Day the Department of Health hosts a special event in one of the provinces. This year the Province Free State has been chosen to host the 1996 special event.

You and/or a representative of your organisation are herewith invited by the Free State Ministry of Health and the National Department of Health to attend the special event.

Date: 30 November 1996 Time: 08:00 - 15:30 (Programme available on request) Venue: Shimla Park, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Parking: VIP parking is available. A parking permit will be forwarded upon confirmation. RSVP: Please complete and return the confirmation form by 29/11/1996 at 15:00 (Confirmation form available on request) Entrance: For entrance to the venue, you are requested to present this invitation. Please enter at Gate 2. Secure parking is available. Contact: For further information please call Ms Elke Grobler on 051-4054200 or 082 567 7635. Media Room: A separate equipped media room is available for members of the media.

We are looking forward to see you at the World Aids Day event. Please do not hesitate to call should you need more information.

Elke Grobler, Media Coordinator

WORLD AIDS DAY - 1 DECEMBER 1996

PRETORIA - December 1 is World AIDS Day. The theme for this year is "One World, One Hope". The main objective of World AIDS Day is to express support for persons living with AIDS and also to create and maintain high level of AIDS awareness among the public in general.

Based on the annual antenatal survey, it is estimated that over 1,8 million people in South Africa were infected with HIV at the end of 1995. This figure will have risen to 2,2 million by the end of 1996, with approximately 1 000 new infections occurring daily.

Of the estimated 43 000 cases of AIDS, about 10 000 are among children born to infected mothers.

Annually, the Department of Health organises a special event for World Aids day. This year the event will take place in the Free State province on November 30. The venue for the event is Shimla Park Stadium, University of Free State, Bloemfontein. The Minister of Health, Dr N C Dlamimimi Zuma will deliver the keynote address at this event. (Programme available on request)

Besides the special event in the Free State province, there are different activities planned in each of the provinces.

Northern Province

• The Department of Health has invited churches and other organisations to participate in special events to be held in the regions on November 29.
• The MEC for Health in this province will attend a function in the Bushveld region, at the Warmbaths Community Hall.

Western Cape

• The Department of Health and 26 community organisations have worked together to arrange World AIDS day events.
• Religious groups including Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Jews are participating in the events.
• A Minister of religion who is HIV positive will address the Muslims on Friday, 29 November.
• There will be special prayers in Mosques on Friday, 29 November.
• The Gay and Lesbian organisation will have an educational programme on December 1 in Gugulethu with the focus on informing people about AIDS.
• The famous opera singer, Sibongile Khumalo will hold a special concert on December 1 at the Cape Town gardens in commemoration of people who have died of AIDS.

Northern Cape

• Schools in the regions will participate in a fun run on Friday, November 29.
• Drama and other entertainment groups will perform at the Kimberley theatre on December 1 with the message of unity to curb the spread of AIDS.
• On Sunday the churches will hold candle lighting ceremonies around the theme of Hope.

KwaZulu-Natal

• A function will be held for all the government employees on Friday, November 29.
• Different organisations like ATTIC, NACOSA and other will hold workshops on educating the youth about AIDS.
• The province has planned to address the members of the legislative chamber on AIDS at their closing party.
• The province has also planned a month long programme from December to January 1997 to create awareness about AIDS.

Eastern Cape

• The "Puppets Against AIDS" will travel in different regions of the province and perform at the busy areas like bus and taxi ranks, shopping complexes, etc. from the middle of November until December 1.
• Red ribbons will be distributed to the public as a symbolic gesture in support of people living with AIDS.
• Symposiums and seminars on AIDS will be held during this period.
• There will be special services for people living with AIDS in Mdantsane and Pefferville on December 1.
• December 3 there will be an AIDS awareness event at the Mdantsane Sports Centre.

Mpumalanga Province

• The province has planned a big advertising campaign on safe sex.
• Events will be held at district and region levels for the World AIDS day.

North West Province

• Group Africa will be doing road shows in the province.
• Regional events are arranged in different regions.
• The MEC for Health will address the special event in Vryburg.
• Soccer matches, fun run, exhibitions have been arranged by local NGO's and the Department of Health.
• There is also a poster competition for the school children.

Gauteng

• Local communities have planned workshops and rallies in the province.
• The province has also produced a lot of reading material with regards to HIV/AIDS.

Let us all work together in combatting HIV/AIDS.