Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
The Partnership Against AIDS campaign, launched by the Deputy President in October 1998, is starting to bear fruit. Testimony to this is the ground breaking participation of various sectors in the partnership initiative and the large number of AIDS awareness events held during the week commemorating World AIDS Day.
The participation of the President, the Deputy President, Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers responsible for different portfolios, significantly increased the visibility of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The business sector is implementing various programmes to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS amongst their employees. Eskom has been awarded the first Global business Council on AIDS' award for excellency in the area of workplace AIDS programmes.
Trade unions launched an HIV/AIDS programme on World AIDS Day. More than 300 representatives from three federations - COSATU, NACTU and FEDUSA - as well as the independent unions attended.
Participants at a recent trade union workshop for women in Mpumalanga resolved to wear T-shirts with AIDS messages once a week to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS at the work place and to express their solidarity with colleagues who are infected.
In support of the "Partnership Against AIDS" campaign, to date two thirds of all national government departments, have started HIV/AIDS programmes for their employees. Departments also launched the "Lift News" communications project. This is a special type of newsletter displayed in lifts aimed at informing employees and visitors to government departments about HIV/AIDS.
The Department of Education recently published, in the Government Gazette for public comment, South Africa's first draft national policy on HIV/AIDS for pupils in public schools and students and lecturers in higher education at training institutions. The Department of Sport and Recreation together with various sports codes, has developed a powerful position statement on HIV/AIDS called "Play it Safe".
Celebrities from the arts and entertainment sector participated in a number of high profile events to demonstrate their commitment to be "Ambassadors Against AIDS".
At the first "World AIDS Day Partnership Festival" in Pretoria involving government, the arts, media and labour, more than seven thousand people took part in a unique programme of education and entertainment despite strong rains.
The National Association of People living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has embarked on a "Disclosure and Acceptance Campaign". At a recent meeting in Ladysmith more than one thousand people attended.
South Africa is gearing up to face the challenges presented by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There is much to celebrate, but the battle is far from over.
Contact: Mr Mtholephi Mthimkhulu
Phone: (012) 312-0151/2
Cell: 082-574-5081
Fax: (012) 326-2891)