Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
DME JOINS THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY
The Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms. Susan Shabangu, invites you to a media briefing session on Friday, 19 November 1999 at 10:00 in Room 6 of the Holiday Inn Garden Court, 2 Hulley Road, Isando (Kempton Park), where she will unveil the 1999/2000 HIV/AIDS Programme of the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME).
"The mining industry has been identified as the industry with the fastest growing HIV-infection rate in South Africa. We are aware of the level of literacy on the mines and that the average mineworker is either illiterate or semi-literate and therefore we are working towards a system of including HIV/AIDS education into the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) programmes already in place on the mines", Minister Shabangu said.
The DME is also conscious of the fact that the majority of miners have socio-cultural beliefs that influences their perceptions of the disease.
The Department is aware that in addressing the issue of AIDS, they must take into consideration both the literacy and socio-cultural background of the mineworker.
The aim of the Department is to play an active role in reducing HIV infections in the mining industry. This also includes the education of mineworkers and the changing of their respective cultural beliefs. The DME will launch its first project in the Free State as part of the Mine Health and Safety Regional Expo in Welkom on Wednesday, 24 November 1999 at 13:00 at the Welkom Club. The international theme of "Listen, Learn and Live" will be carried in all the messages in the actions taken by the DME.
Deputy Minister Shabangu will discuss the establishment of networks, both at local and ...../2 regional levels, to provide adequate and appropriate responses towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Department of Minerals and Energy is forging partnerships with Government, labour organisations and the employers to collaborate and co-ordinate HIV/AIDS programmes in the mining industry.
These partners include the National Union of Mine Workers' (NUM), the Chamber of Mines and the Department of Health.
The DME commits itself to not only focusing on the mine worker, but also educating the wives and children of the mine workers in their respective communities by means of identifying the different services rendered by local and national organisations in the area. The DME further commit itself to sensitising the sex workers in the mining communities about HIV/AIDS.
Enquiries: Mrs. Prudence Pitsie
Deputy Director: Communication
Tel:(012) 3179266 Fax:(012) 3224954 Cell:082 469 6861 E-mail:comgol@mepta.pwv.gov.za 18 November 1999