The City of Cape Town’s Health Directorate has a number of activities and events planned across Cape Town to mark World Aids Day on 1 December 2012, including lighting Table Mountain in red.
World Aids Day is marked around the world each December to raise awareness about HIV/Aids, commemorate those who have died from it, honour those living with it and pay tribute to the health care sector workers who care for them.
The theme for previous years has focused on Getting to Zero – Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.
“In getting to zero I urge all Capetonians to empower themselves by knowing their status and getting tested in the run up to World Aids Day on 1 December,” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Councillor Lungiswa James.
“Being infected with HIV is no longer a death sentence. It can be managed as a chronic disease, but the first crucial step is knowing one’s status,” explains the Executive Director for City Health, Dr Ivan Bromfield. “For all those who already know they are infected, World Aids Day is a time to reflect and ensure they are doing appropriate follow up tests and taking relevant medication.”
City Health will be holding outreach events in each of its districts, in collaboration with multi sectoral action teams, other City departments, Metro District Health Services and various Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).
In 2011, over 500 000 HIV tests were conducted in Cape Town in primary care facilities and at NGO run sites and at outreach events. However, there are still Capetonians who have never tested, and this year, the City urges them to make use of the easy access to HIV testing provided at multiple outreach service points as part of the ‘Get Tested’ campaign.
“The major focus of these outreach events will be to raise awareness around HIV and also tuberculosis (TB), which is a major cause of death for those infected with HIV. We will also conduct other health promotion activities such as testing for diabetes/high blood pressure and distributing condoms,” says Councillor James.
Councillor James will visit the Bellville men’s clinic from 13:30 to 15:00 on Friday, 30 December 2012.
Residents can expect the following events to mark World Aids Day:
Table Mountain to go RED
The City is participating in an international campaign to raise money for the Global Fund, which finances HIV, TB and Malaria programmes. One of the components of the campaign involves turning iconic landmarks around the world red. Table Mountain will therefore be lit with red lights from 19:00 till 23:00 on 1 December.
Table Mountain was lit up in this manner in 2011 following its nomination for this honour in 2010.
The RED campaign works with international brands to make unique RED – branded products, directing up to 50% of profits to the Global Fund for the fight against Aids in Africa.
The City of Cape Town is a sub-recipient of a Global Fund grant and is currently funding 80 NGOs for HIV/TB projects.
Klipfontein Sub-District World Aids Day celebration
This will be held at Gugulethu Square on 4 December 2012 with a focus on the youth. The keynote speaker will the Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Councillor Lungiswa James.
The key themes include prevention of HIV/AIDS/TB and other sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy, access to contraceptive services, male medical circumcision and cancer awareness.
This event is a joint venture between several stakeholders which include City Health, City Parks, local NGOs, the Gugulethu community through the Clinic Committee, Gugulethu Square Mall Management and many others.
Popular bands like Melted Blue, Lelo, Black Current, Gift Gwe and Nyami and Friends will entertain the guests. This is an open invitation to everybody available on the day to support the event.
Other sub-district outreach and awareness programmes
City Health will also hold outreach events in each of the other sub-districts, in collaboration with other City Departments, Multi-Sectoral action teams, Metro District Health Services, and various NGOs.
Free HIV testing will be conducted as part of the ‘Get Tested’ campaign. Free male and female condoms and health promotion materials will be distributed. At some events visitors will be entertained with educational plays and musical items.
Capetonians are encouraged to visit their local clinics for more information.
