NGOs unite in information drive for HIV-Aids Day

In celebration of International World Aids Day on 1 December, several NGOs in the Vhembe district will host events to create awareness about the disease.

This year’s theme is Zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths.

The Munna ndi nnyi (Who is the real man) men’s forum will host an event at Lwamondo on Tuesday, aiming to encourage people to get tested and start taking treatment. According to the organization’s managing director, Mr Bardwell Mufunwaini, it was established that the rate of HIV infections in the area is on the rise. “Our people need to be told that Aids is here. We all need to work together to prevent Aids-related deaths,” he said

According to Mafunwaini, women regularly get tested, but men fear to get tested. “Men don’t really accept that they have this disease. They don’t take treatment, and they will leave their children behind suffering,” he said. He also mentioned that members of his forum had helped people to live positively, even if they were infected.

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) will be expanding the message of treatment to various communities. The provincial co-ordinator, Mr Amukelani Maluleke, said their organisation was left out of the provincial government’s preparatory plan for the event. They were not consulted as to where the event would be, he added.

However, that has not stopped the TAC from preparing for the day and to endeavour to help vulnerable communities. “It is not just a matter of commemorating this day; we need to spread information to the people. We will continue to encourage people to get tested and to take treatment,” he said.

Maluleke said they would promote this year’s theme and they would organise pep talks throughout the day. He complained, however, about the government’s failure to provide medication to the clinics. Government clinics in the province are facing a serious lack of medicine he said. “It is not just a matter of celebrating this day; we have to encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle,” he added.

Hope for Limpopo, a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting impoverished women, children and families, will be hosting a campaign at Tshikombani on Tuesday. “We will supply information to people living with HIV/Aids to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which will help them to have a productive life,” said Ms Khathutshelo Nemafhohoni from the organization.

The provincial government will host a provincial Aids Day at the Seshego Stadium on Sunday. Premier Stanley Mathabatha will address the public.

Date:29 November 2013

By: Phathutshedzo Luvhengo

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