Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
Next Tuesday, 1 December 1, is World Aids Day. In Pretoria this day will be marked by South Africa's first world Aids Day Partnership Festival, on Church Square between 12:00 and 16:00. This may be by far the biggest and arguably the most important event Church Square has seen this year.
Less than eight weeks after Deputy President Thabo Mbeki launched the Partnership against Aids in his speech on October 9, this partnership seems to become a reality for Pretoria. The festival brings together national provincial and local government, the labour movement and non-governmental organisations. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Mrs Thoko Didza, the Gauteng MEC for Health, Mr Mondli Gungubele and possibly the Mayor of Pretoria as well as the NEHAWU President, Mr Vusi Nhlapo, will be present.
Glen Lewis from Radio Metro, together with music groups such as Chiskop and Ringo will provide the right atmosphere. Drama groups, clowns and colourful competitions will make sure that everybody who comes has a good time. The visitor with a deeper interest in matters pertaining to HIV/AIDS will find a variety of information stalls. Videos and HIV/AIDS will be projected on a large screen and there will be experts available to answer questions.
The festival is organised by the Interdepartmental committee on HIV/AIDS. This comprises HIV/AIDS coordianators from government departments. A spokesperson for the committee said that the response to the initiative is overwhelming. Whilst it was initially planned to attract about 2 000 spectators, due to the partnership with NEHAWU it is now expected that more than 10 000 people will attend.
Contact: Ms Snoepie Mabusela Phone: (012) 314-2422 Fax: (012) 323-4979