Issued by: National Youth Commission
The National Youth Commission (NYC) wishes to express its shock and dismay at the discriminatory treatment experienced by Aids activists at the Huhluwe's Zulu Nyala Protea hotel in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.
Despite concerted public education efforts, both by government and Non-governmental organisations to educate people about Aids/HIV, it is utterly unacceptable to find that other companies and institutions are still discriminating against HIV/Aids infected people.
This follows the unfair treatment received by Aids activists at Hluhluwe's Zulu Nyala Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.
The group of 27 Aids activists was supposed to hold a two-day workshop at Zulu Nyala Hotel where the manager, after learning that they are HIV positive, instructed the hotel staff not to serve the activists at the same time with other guests. This resulted in Aids activists cancelling the last part of their programme.
Their cutlery and cooking utensils were separated from the rest of the hotel eating equipment, and their meals were served at different times in separate adjoining dining rooms in total obscurity from other guests.
The workshop had been organised in conjunction with the National Youth Commission's (NYC) Aids programme through its KwaZulu-Natal Young Positive Living Ambassadors Aids project. The purpose of this workshop was to try and identify advocacy issues with the aim of consolidating existing partnerships among organisations of people living with HIV.
"The NYC wishes to reiterate its cal for all institutions to intensify their campaign to educate their employees about HIV/Aids in the work place. Such campaigns must not only be reflected in the policies of these organisations but must lead to change in behavioural patterns which show acceptance of the people living with HIV/Aids", said the NYC Chair, Hlengiwe Bhengu.
The National Youth Commission appeals to the management of the Protea Hotel to make a public apology to all those offended by this unlawful act and develop a programme to educate its staff members and its clients about HIV/Aids.
For comments please call NYC's Monde Mkalipi on 082 575 3976.
Issued by Tebogo Ramutloa
National Youth Commission
30 June 1999