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28 November 2008

Deputy President and Head of South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Baleka Mbete, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele, Minister of Health Barbara Hogan, Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, Executive Council and the Executive Director of the United Nations on AIDS Dr Peter Piot will be amongst those who will join hands in commemorating World AIDS Day on 1 December 2008. The event will also be addressed by His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini. The theme is: "stop HIV and AIDS: lead and unite."

Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Monday, 1 December 2008
Time: 11h00
Venue: Sahara Stadium, Durban

Addressing a meeting of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Council on AIDS on 11 November 2008, Premier Ndebele said "together, we can win the fight against HIV and AIDS. We need to stop fighting against each other and unite in our fight against HIV ands AIDS," said the Premier.

To this end, the commemoration of World AIDS Day will be a culmination of a myriad of HIV and AIDS awareness campaigns already underway. Faith-based organisations will take the lead in the formation of a human chain on Sunday 30 November 2008 commencing at 12h00 in the Durban City Centre, whereby they will also supply messages that declare a war against HIV and AIDS. This will take the form of a procession of people around the city hall in Durban using Dr Pixley kaSeme (old West), Samora Machel (old Aliwal), Anton Lembede (old Smith) and Dorothy Nyembe (old Gardner) streets.

On Monday (1 December 2008) all stakeholders have been invited to participate in making the longest ever red ribbon, which will be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. South Africa is intending to snatch the record that has been held by Canada for years. Prior to the event at Sahara Stadium on 1 December 2008, the Premier, Minister of Health, MECs and Mayors will participate in door-to-door visits at Cato Crest in Durban, where they will meet families and assess the challenges residents are facing.

Various other build-up activities were also conducted during November, Red Ribbon Month, where Government’s key messages were:
*"I do care" about HIV and AIDS;
*"I support" those living with HIV and AIDS and those who have lost loved ones to the disease; and
*"I am concerned" about HIV and AIDS.

As part of the build-up activities, an intensive service delivery campaign was conducted this week (24 to 28 November 2008), focusing on under-privileged areas such as Cato Crest and Clare Estate in Durban. Door-to-door education and referral campaigns were conducted in households in these areas. Youth ambassadors, community health workers, home-based care givers and civil society organisations intensified their campaigns and referred people from these areas for various services.

On World AIDS Day, various government services will be provided at Sahara Stadium including social grant applications and processing, birth certificates and ID registrations, health screening services and the provision of relevant information to citizens.

SANAC says "join us on this day. Don't wait to be asked. Talk to your family, workplace, school or organisation about what you are going to do. Spread the word to act now! "Join hundreds and thousands of caring people who choose to "stop HIV and AIDS, lead and unite" together, we can make a real difference!

All media are invited to attend. Please note picture opportunities. Journalists wishing to join the site visits are requested to meet at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital Main Foyer at 08h45.

For more information contact:
Dr Fikile Ndlovu
Cell: 083 459 1931

Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za

Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
28 November 2008