World AIDS Day
The Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) partnered with the Western Cape Government, Langeberg Municipality and local organisations, the ACVV and BRAM Homebase Care Project, for the World Aids Day commemoration held at the Zolani Community Hall in Ashton.
World Aids Day has been observed annually on 1 December since 1988, and was the first ever global health day. People around the world unite against HIV/AIDS, show support to those living with it and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
This year, the theme was ‘Equalise’ to encourage global unity against the disparities and inequities that create barriers to HIV testing and prevention, and access to HIV care.
The CWDM and partners decided to focus on the community in Zolani, specifically on Grade 7 and 8s following concerns of GBV, teenage pregnancy and bullying in the community. Speakers addressing these topics and their relation to HIV/AIDS included Cllr Minnie Petersen, Portfolio Councillor: Rural and Social Development, and Adv Cindy Abdol from the National Prosecuting Authority.
To make sure that those present knew where and how to access help, the CWDM and partners had all relevant information at hand and officials were available to have one-on-one discussions. The WCG Department of Health had a mobile clinic at the venue and the attendees were provided access to services such as family planning, HIV and STI testing, TB screening and testing and the examination of other minor ailments.
It is through creating awareness, providing factual knowledge and creating opportunities to get tested that the CWDM and its partners hope to create unity and achieve true transformation in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
Wêreld-vigsdag
Ter herdenking van vanjaar se Wêreld-vigsdag het die KWDM en vennote besluit om op Graad 7- en 8-leerders in Zolani, Ashton te fokus weens kommer oor GBV, tienerswangerskap en afknouery. Die leerders is ingelig oor waar en hoe om toegang tot hulp te verkry, en het die geleentheid gehad om vir verskeie leefstylsiektes by die mobiele kliniek getoets te word. Deur bewustheid te skep, feitelike kennis te verskaf en geleenthede te skep om getoets te word, hoop die KWDM en sy vennote om eenheid en ware transformasie in die stryd teen MIV/vigs te bewerkstellig.
