Everyone has to play their part to stop the HIV/Aids epidemic in South Africa. This was the message of the HIV/Aids activist, Mr Phill Wilson, to staff and students recently at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Mr Wilson is the founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, America. He has been HIV-positive for the past 25 years.

The mission of the Black Aids Institute is to stop the AIDS pandemic in black communities by engaging and mobilising black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV.

“I am still alive because of the love and support of my family and friends and because I have access to the best medical care. Many don’t have that privilege,” Mr Wilson told a packed lecture theatre on the Bellville campus.

Thirty million people have died of Aids worldwide of which the majority is black people. “The only way to stop Aids in black communities is for strong institutions with the capital and the infrastructure to make it happen. Everyone has to do their part. We must encourage each other to be informed. Find out about the facts of Aids and encourage each other to get tested.”

Mr Wilson told students and staff that Aids is not an automatic death sentence. People need to get involved by talking to each other.

“We can all outlive this disease. The one thing that keeps me going is my determination to beat this thing. I continue to take care of myself and refuse to live in shame,” said Mr Wilson.

Mr Wilson also donated a number of HIV/Aids-related books that are available from the Bellville Library. The HIV/Aids Unit also distributed copies of a text book developed by staff members. 2 Be Aids Aware is available to staff members. Contact Mr Peter le Roux at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by CPUT News
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The Cape Town campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was host to the opening ceremony of the annual Wellness Celebrations on 31 March 2008.

The Wellness Celebrations are organised by the Student Affairs Department in collaboration with the Student Health Department and the HIV/ AIDS Unit of the institution. The Celebrations are aimed at promoting wellness and well-being to staff and students of the institution and communicating the importance of holistic living.

According to Ms Elizabet Smith (Associate Director: Student Counseling), “CPUT defines wellness in terms of seven dimensions: Physical, Environmental, Intellectual, Spiritual, Social, Occupational and Emotional. Each dimension is interrelated and development of each dimension can promote well-being and health. By embracing a holistic approach to well-being, education can move beyond just knowledge gained from textbooks. By awakening life we can promote healthier living, happier living and a good life.”

Ms Smith continues, “Wellness Day is a colourful and festive event, a celebration of life. Not just any life, but a promotion of a life well lived and a university committed to well-being. A happy, healthy university lends itself for a happy healthy society awake, fully human, and fully alive. This important concept is promoted on an annual basis in different ways on the different CPUT campuses.”

The opening event, which was hosted by KFM DJ, Sam Roy was packed with fun-filled entertainment including comedians, trapeze artists, hip hop dancers, tap dancers Tai Chi experts, and singers.

The Dean of Students, Ms Cora Njoli-Motale, addressed the students about how they should incorporate the wellness concept in their daily lives. She stated, “It’s students who are well-rounded who will become graduates.” Ms Njoli- Motale also requested to students to take a stand and make a pledge on what they want to do to improve their wellness. Students were provided with several colours of paint (each representing one form of wellness dimensions) and were requested to put their pledge on a ‘Pledge- board’.

The Celebrations also included a Wellness Market Day with a variety of stalls and exhibitions. Stalls were filled with a large selection of food, treats and jewellery.

Wellness Celebrations continued on the Bellville campus on Wednesday, 2 April 2008 in the Student Quad. As with the opening event, the Bellville event included an address by Dean of Students Ms Cora Njoli-Motal and a concert hosted by Sam Roy. In addition, wellness brochures were handed out and holistic treatments such as massages were available to staff and students.

The Bellville activities featured a Shavathon hosted by CANSA. The aim for the Shavathan was to raise cancer awareness and to raise funds for CANSA services. It involved the shaving or colouring of hair for a donation of R20- R25.

The atmosphere of the Wellness Celebrations gave an impression that the institution was in great shape. Head of Department: Student Counselling Dr AB De Villers extends a vote of thanks to all who worked very hard to make the Celebrations a success.

By Tyrone Van Heerden and Ruth Chisesa, Marketing and Communication Department

Photograph: Mbasa Boiketlo (3rd year Consumer Science- Food and Nutrition student) and Conway Maluleke (3rd year Marketing student) make a Wellness pledge.

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The official opening ceremony of the new HIV/ AIDS Unit offices of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology took place on Monday the 17th of March, 2008 at the Cape Town campus.

The event, which commenced at the Piazza and then proceeded onto the second floor of the Administration building, was jointly hosted by Phumie Mayongo (Peer Education Officer of the Unit) and Mr Ashraf Mohammed (Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit).

The aim of the ceremony was not only to open the new offices but also to appeal to students to be more aware of the crisis. This was done by marketing the Male Indaba and Female Lekgotla scheduled to take place on Wednesday the 19th of March, 2008 on the Bellville campus.

The aim of the Indaba and Lekgotla is to further market the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Campus Drive which is scheduled for the 25th and 26th of March, 2008 on the Cape Town Campus, the 27th March on Granger Bay Campus and the 9th and 10th of April on the Bellville Campus.

The ceremony was opened by Ashraf Mohammed, the Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit The keynote speaker for the day was Ms Adriana Belafonte (daughter of the famous singer and actor Harry Belafonte). Ms. Cora Njoli-Motale, Dean of Students, addressed the students in the Piazza about incorporating HIV/AIDS into Student Leadership.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) of the institution also took a stand against the national crisis. The Central Chairperson of the SRC, Saziso Matiwane, publicly stated in his address to the students that he would be tested at the forthcoming VCT Campus Drive and would encourage that all SRC members be tested. He motivated all students and staff to do likewise.

Further events of the day included a traditional dance performance by Iqhude, a positive lifestyle talk by Zintle Mobbs and Faghmeda Milleer (who are both based in the HIV/AIDS Unit) who themselves are HIV positive and render care and support to students and staff on campus) This was followed by a request by Ashraf Mohammed for all to remain standing in a minute of silence in memory of those all infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and TB.

A traditional prayer and blessing session was conducted by the by the Imbongi Just outside the new HIV/AIDS Unit offices. This was preceded by a “Guard of Honor” of the HIV/AIDS Student Peer Educators which included nine French students, two Dutch students and several students from various countries in Africa.

A candle-light procession by these Peer Educators also took place. According to Ashraf Mohammed the three lit candles held by each Peer Educator at the procession symbolised the ABC strategy of HIV/AIDS Prevention namely “Abstinence,” “Be faithful,” and “ Condomise.”

Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by Ms Cora Njoli-Motale, an interfaith prayer was conducted by Ms Matiwane Nomabhucwa a Peer Educator (who is also an SRC member).

Students and staff can contact the Peer Education Officer of the HIV/ AIDS Unit, Phumie Mayongo (tel 021 460 4253, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for further information about the VCT drive and future events organized by the unit.

By Tyrone Van Heerden, Marketing and Communication Department

Written by CPUT News
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Piercing forward with its commitment to an HIV-free generation, CPUT recently hosted a very successful HIV/Aids Policy Framework and Monitoring & Evaluation Workshop for universities in the Western Cape at its Bellville campus.

Delegates included those running workplace programmes, human resource departments, campus health services, unions, staff associations and staff members working on HIV curricula.

The event, which was organized by the Higher Education HIV/Aids Programme (HEAIDS), focused on various issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in Higher Education such as the importance of prevention programmes and the need for funding.

Feizel Mamdoo, Higher Education South Afica’s communications manager, presented the HIV/Aids Policy Framework for Higher Education during the workshop.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News
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The CPUT HIV/Aids Unit recently held their second Voluntary, Counseling and Testing (VCT) Drive for the year, which attracted hundreds of students.

Ashraf Mohammed, Head of the Unit said the main purpose of the drive is to give students a chance to “just walk in and get tested.”

On entering the testing centres, students were given pre-counseling to put them at ease and had to sign consent forms before being tested.

Thereafter, students waited for approximately 15 minutes before receiving their results in a confidential environment. The students were also given post counseling by trained counselors.

This year’s drive, which took place at the Cape Town and Bellville campuses, proved to be huge success, with hundreds of students and even staff members turning up to be tested.

Mohammed said with the drives, they are trying to reinforce healthy lifestyles in order to prevent risk behavior. “Those that tested negative, we want to keep them negative,” he said.

Mohammed said during the VCT drives they are also promoting the ABC model.

“Abstain, be faithful or condomise,” he said.

The VCT drive is also aimed at ensuring those who do test positive have access to comprehensive support provided by the HIV/Aids Unit and Campus Clinics.

Mohammed said as from next year the VCT drives will also take place on the other campuses situated across Cape Town and in Wellington.

“We are planning to purchase an HIV/Aids mobile unit to cover the other campuses,” he said.

The next VCT drive is scheduled for early next year.

Written by CPUT News
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Staff members and students from the HIV/AIDs Units at CPUT and Rhodes University shared their success stories at a recent workshop.

The agenda on the day placed a special focus on the Workplace Peer Educators Programme.

The successful event took place at the Cape Town campus with members of both HIV/AIDS Units exchanging ideas about the challenges facing their respective units and also offering solutions and suggestions.

Head of the CPUTs HIV/AIDS Unit, Prof Ashraf Mohammed, shared the highlights of the unit’s programmes for 2012 as well as its strategic objectives. Included in his presentation was information on the HIV/AIDS Negative Symposium.

“As much as we look after and care for those who are HIV positive we look after those who are negative as well to ensure that they maintain their HIV negative status,” says Mohammed.

Rhodes University’s Institutional HIV/ AIDS Officer Thandi Mzizi offered great insight into the workings of their Unit. Mzizi pointed out many important factors that are key to the success of their unit and Workplace Peer Education Programme.

A highlight on the day was a motivational speech by Jerome Dreyer, a former CPUT peer educator who has been rehabilitated from his drug addiction. He shared his story of recovery and how he practiced the HIV/AIDS Unit’s message of not sharing needles with his friends. He says this important act of prevention contributed greatly to him still being HIV negative.

By Nurahn Ryklief

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The HIV/AIDS Unit commemorated World AIDS Day 2009 with a number of events including a presentation at Malmesbury Prison on 30 November to coincide with its 2009 Prisoner Peer Education Awards Ceremony, an event with the Community Health Forum of Bellville on 1 December and a presentation to the staff of the Public Protectors Office in Cape Town on 4 December.

The Malmsbury Prison event was hosted in collaboration with the Group of Hope of Prisoners Malmesbury Prison (GOHMA). This project strives to empower inmates who have pledged their support to neighbouring communities in various ways, including the fostering of children living with terminally ill parents.

In addition to its own collection and fundraising campaigns in prison, GOHMA requests local businesses to provide the children with food parcels, school uniforms and books.

There are currently 13 children are under the foster care by GOHMA. A fashion show showcasing the clothes manufactured by the inmates for the fostered children was one of the highlights of the 2009 World AIDS Day event.

Outgoing chairperson of GOHMA Xolisani Galada, said the children were identified through the local schools as well as inmates of Malmesbury Prison.

The CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit is involved in a continuous partnership with GOHMA, known as the Ithemba Project, that includes the training of inmates in sewing, fashion design, art, and ongoing HIV/AIDS/STI and TB Awareness campaigns, as well as capacity building and lifeskills programmes. The Ithemba Project promotes continuity in HIV/AIDS community outreach, as inmates who are released train others, with support from the HIV/AIDS Unit and Malmesbury Prison.

Dr Joyce Nduna, CPUT Director Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning delivered the keynote address during the event. Earlier on, Marius Haren of the HIV/AIDS Unit delivered a talk on life after HIV. The Sinenjongo Choir, a group of inmates at the prison, rendered musical items throughout the event.

Other items on the program included an overview of the HIV/AIDS program at Malmesbury Prison by Dr Ashraf Mohammed, Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit at CPUT, the symbolic lighting of candles and the handing over of Christmas gifts to the children by Haren (dressed in the Father Christmas suit) and by Mark Canning, a representative of the US Embassy who had donated the Christmas gifts.

The event for Bellville Health Forum at the Bellville South Civic Centre was marked by the distribution of information about HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis and speeches from representatives from various community organisations dealing with HIV/AIDS.

Dr Mohammed discussed the progression of HIV infection to AIDS and subsequent death due to opportunistic diseases. Inspector Raymon Solomon of the Social Crime Prevention Unit of the SAPS advised women on what to do should they get raped. He mentioned that the SAPS has improved its service to rape victims so that they can reduce traumatisation by reporting cases immediately.

Zanele Gantsho from Mothers to Mothers said people need to know what to do when they are HIV positive.

She read a message of hope which pleaded: “We ask for your special blessing for all infected and affected by HIV and Aids. Help us to accept and face ignorance, stigma and discrimination associated with this disease. Grant us courage. Fill the hearts of all with compassion and unselfish concern to accept and support, to treat with kindness and love those who are courageously living with HIV/AIDS.”

For more information about CPUT’s World Aids Day 2009 initiatives, visit http://www.cput.ac.za/students/saas/hivaidsunit.

By Thami Nkwanyane

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The campus wide Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) drive has proved to be a huge success, attracting hundreds of CPUT students.

The VCT campus drive, which is driven by the HIV/Aids Unit, has been a bi-annual feature on the CPUT calendar since 2005.

This year’s drive kicked off at Freedom Square Residence at Bellville campus on 9 March and will run up until 20 March.

Head of the HIV/Aids Unit, Dr Ashraf Mohammed said this year they would most likely reach much more students and staff because they have extended the VCT campus drive to additional CPUT sites.

During the past few years the drives were only held at Bellville and Cape Town campuses and occasionally at Granger Bay and Mowbray campuses.

But this year, it was extended to Tygerberg campus, and several student residences in Bellville and Cape Town.

Dr Mohammed said the move to extend the drive to other CPUT sites proved to be a “huge success.”

“We had an overwhelming response at Tygerberg campus,” he said.

At the student residences, the drive attracted large numbers of students who could not manage to get tested at the Bellville or Cape Town campuses.

Dr Mohammed said the main purpose of the VCT campus drive is to give students a chance to “just walk in and get tested.”

“Students prefer to come to the VCT campus drive because it is convenient, quick and they don’t have to make an appointment,” said Dr Mohammed.

Once students walk into the testing centre, they are given pre-counseling to put them at ease and are then required to sign consent forms before being tested.

Thereafter, students wait approximately 20 minutes before receiving their results in a confidential environment. Upon receiving the results, the students are given post counseling by trained counselors.

During this VCT campus drive, students were also given the option to sign a “Safer Sex Pledge” that highlights the Abstain (A), Be faithful (B) and Condomise (C) strategies (ABC).

Dr Mohammed said the VCT drives provide the HIV/Aids unit with an opportunity to reinforce healthy lifestyles among students in order to prevent risky behavior that could make them vulnerable to be infected with HIV.

“Our aim for those that test negative, is to keep them negative,” he said.

The VCT campus drive is also aimed at ensuring that those who do test positive have access to the care and support services offered by the unit’s Health Promoters and clinical support from the CPUT campus clinics.

Dr Mohammed said the VCT campus drive “compliments” the routine VCT service, which is offered at campus clinics (on both Cape Town and Bellville campuses only) throughout the academic year.

The next campus-wide VCT drive is scheduled for the second semester.

By Candes Keating

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Annually, the world sets aside one day a year in an effort to raise awareness of the Tuberculosis (TB) pandemic that plagues Southern Africa .

This year, the CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit based at the Cape Town Campus hosted a pledge ceremony on 25 March 2009, a day after World TB Day, in collaboration with the Campus Health Clinic and Student Counselling Services.

This TB awareness ceremony took place on the Helipad of the Granger Bay campus with the theme “I am stopping TB”.

Approximately 250 guests, which included staff and students, gathered to witness the reading and signing of the TB Pledge developed by Dr Ashraf Mohammed Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit.

As a symbolic gesture, student HIV/Aids Peer Educators, Peer Helpers from the Counseling Services and Community Youth Peer Educators from Mitchell’s Plein released ten homing pigeons to represent the goal of breaking free from TB.

During the ceremony various speakers delivered presentations on TB. Marius Harmsen, a Health Promoter at the HIV/AIDS Unit, related his personal battle for survival with TB.

Other speakers were Dr Espe Makinde from the Cape Town Campus Health Clinic who shared her personal experiences of from a medical perspective and Sister Sylvia Abrahams from the HIV/AIDS Unit, who highlighted that TB was curable and stressed the need to complete full six months TB treatment.

TB is primarily transmitted as airborne bacteria and if detected early and treated with proper consistent medication, it can be cured within six months and thus prevent the further spread of TB.

Dr Mohammed, who cited from a published article, said that an estimated 1.5 million people died from TB in 2006 alone and an additional 200, 000 people died as a result of HIV associated TB.

“This was one of the main reasons why the HIV/AIDS Unit took on the project of developing the TB Pledge,” said Dr Mohammed.

“The TB Pledge also advises that signatories should seek help at their nearest health facility for TB screening if they experience two or more signs and symptoms described there,” advised Dr Mohammed.

During the event, the Peer Educators gathered as many signatures as possible to emphasise the CPUT community’s commitment to gaining awareness on TB and HIV/AIDS related matters.

By Thando J. Moiloa

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The Bellville South Civic Centre have invited Dr Ashraf Mohammed and his team of the HIV/AIDS Unit of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to partake and commemorate World AIDS day in Bellville South Civic Centre.

The aim of this event is to create awareness, inform and educate broader community of Bellville South about the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS/STI&TB in the community.

Date: 1 December 2009
Start Time: 10:00
End Time: 16:00
Venue: Bellville South Civic Centre
Cost /Entrance Fee: Free
Who is invited: Open to public

The HIV/AIDS Unit with Peer Educators and Heath Promoters will perform an AIDS Role-Play to demonstrate the progress from HIV infection to AIDS stage and subsequent death by opportunistic infections. Dr Mohammed of HIV/AIDS Unit will also simulate the HIV/AIDS epidemic to demonstrate how quickly HIV is spreading

Other Stakeholders include Managers of Day Hospital, City of Cape Town Ward 9, South African Police Service Bellville South, SAPS Victim Empowerment Group, SAPS Police Forum, HIV Drama Group, Touching Nations, HOPE, TB Care and Sport and Recreation.

For enquiries, contact Dr Ashraf Mohammed at (021) 4604252/3 or Dhakir Christians at (021) 9513367.

Written by CPUT News

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The CPUT campus-wide HIV testing drive has officially kicked off. This campaign, dubbed ‘First Things First’ is a counselling and testing drive commissioned by the Department of Higher Education’s Programme on HIV/ AIDS (HEAIDS).

Its purpose is to encourage students, academics, administration and service staff to get tested in the mobile clinic that will visit all CPUT campuses and service points during the next few weeks.
 
Projects Officer Alex Semba said the campaign was first introduced in mid-2011, with the drive primarily aimed at first-year students.
 
He said this year the focus has been expanded to all members of the CPUT community.
 
Part of the campaign is asking participants to watch a counselling DVD that will be uploaded on all CPUT computers.  Thereafter they will be tested using the finger-prick method and receive post-test counseling from the on-site medical staff.
 
The test will take no more than 20 minutes.
 
For those who may be concerned about their status being exposed, Semba says, “For us, confidentiality is key. The only people who have access to your results are you and your health worker.”
 
“We would like everyone who tested to also sign a pledge to stop discrimination, reduce the stigma of HIV/ AIDS and help to curb further infections by practising safer sex”, says Semba.
 
Head of the Unit, Dr Ashraf Mohammed has also encouraged the CPUT community to participate in the drive.
 
“Knowing one’s status is very essential, as it allows you to live a healthy responsible life,” says Dr Mohammed.
 
For more information on dates and venues of the testing drive, watch out for updates via Newsflash or contact the Unit directly on (021) 460 4253.
 
By: Thando J. Moiloa
 
The HIV/ AIDS Unit in collaboration with TB Care has scheduled the campaign as follows: Bellville Campus - 27-29 Feb 2012
Granger Bay Campus - 01 March 2012
Cape Town Campus - 5-7 March 2012
Tygerberg Campus - 8 March 2012
Mowbray Campus - 12 & 13 March 2012
Wellington Campus - 14 & 15 Mach 2012
Optical Dispensing - 19 March 2012
Thomas Patullo - 20 March 2012
Groote Schuur - 22 March 2012

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To commemorate World AIDS Day, 1 December 2008 , the HIV/AIDS Unit in partnership with Tabeisa hosted a series of events, including the construction and procession of an HIV/AIDS Road Show in Belhar and an interfaith thanksgiving ceremony on Bellville Campus.

To gear up for World AIDS Day, the HIV/AIDS Unit and Tabeisa gathered some 50 local learners from Symphony and Ravensmead high schools on 28 November to collaborate in building a float highlighting positive HIV/AIDS and safer sex messages.

The learners and members of the HIV/AIDS Unit and Tabeisa then transported the Road Show to the Airport Shopping Centre in Belhar on 29 November to engage the local community in innovative HIV/AIDS awareness messages. Prevention was a focus, including the importance of knowing one’s status and the ABC Model – Abstain, Be Faithful, Condomise.

The three-day-long commemoration culminated in a thanksgiving ceremony at the Bellville Campus Pool House on 1 December. Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit, Dr Ashraf Mohammed, offered a welcome and keynote address, appealing for effective and sustained leadership at the local, national and international levels.

“Experience has clearly demonstrated that significant advances in the response to HIV have been achieved when there is strong and committed leadership,” he stated.

Reverend Dr Charmaine Pienaai cautioned that much still needs to be done by leaders and average people alike. “Today we celebrate all the successes achieved, but we also remind ourselves of the hard work that lies ahead,” she said. Both Reverend Pienaai and Imam Uthman Johnson emphasised prevention. “Prevention is better than a cure,” said the Imam. “I want to say to the youngsters, be careful what you do and see that your partner is committed to you.”

In a moving moment, three individuals living with HIV shared their personal stories, including challenges such as discrimination and rejection. Aaishah Mrubata, a Health Promoter based in the HIV/AIDS Unit who has been living with the disease for 17 years, relayed how her sister sent her an email that morning remarking that, for Mrubata and the 33 million people worldwide living with the disease, every day is AIDS Day.

Although solemn, the ceremony also provided hope and inspiration. ‘Uncle’ Pauly Jacobs, a founding member of the Belhar Community Health Forum who has focused on HIV/AIDS and TB since the beginning of the epidemic, stressed the potential for success in cooperation. “Believe me, if all of us just network, collaborate, hold hands and commit ourselves to work together in harmony, our integrated intervention can make a meaningful difference in any community,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who we are. It doesn’t matter where we come from.” Dr AB De Villiers, Head of Student Counselling echoed, “It’s the small actions of ordinary people that lead to major change.” Singers Sister Amanda Lewis-Stone and Ms Justine Josias further uplifted the audience.

Dr Mohammed’s comments reflected the theme of this year’s campaign: Lead, Empower, Deliver. “Leadership and action is needed now” to achieve the United Nation’s goal of universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support by 2010, the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) urges. “Governments must deliver on the promises they have made.” In 2007, only 31% of those in low-to middle-income countries who required treatment received it.

The ongoing theme of the WAC’s campaign is Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise. This year marked an important milestone for the campaign, which celebrated its 20 th anniversary. The World Health Organization declared 1 December 1988 World AIDS Day and governments, the healthcare sector, civil society and the broader public have united every year since on this day in an act of global solidarity to raise awareness about the epidemic.

By Sarah Burdeniuk, HIV/AIDS Unit

 by CPUT News

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On 24 October 2008, CPUT’s HIV/AIDS Unit hosted its Fourth Annual Peer Education Awards Ceremony. Mandisa Mbuyazi was named Senior Peer Educator of the Year and received the Floating Nkonwaba Makinana Shield from Cora Motale, Dean of Students.

Reflecting on the memory of Makinana, Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit Ashraf Mohammed explained, “This is the fourth anniversary of the death of this brave woman who died of AIDS-related diseases and in whose memory this shield is awarded annually to commemorate the impact that she made on both CPUT staff and students.”

“This prestigious shield is handed to the most deserving Senior Peer Educator,” he said.

Dunyiswa Plaatjie was named Peer Educator of the Year. “It has been a unanimous decision that Dunyiswa should get this prize,” said the Unit’s Peer Education Officer, Phumelelani Mayongo. “She was very active in the Unit and surely deserves it.” Pearl Boltman was named Peer Assistant of the Year, Sebenzile Mazula was Peer Facilitator and Role Model was Sibongseni Mposelwa.

Some 75 people gathered for the ceremony at Marimba Restaurant, including staff, family and friends, NGO representatives and donors, to honour and celebrate the outstanding efforts, achievements and dedication of the Unit’s 45 student Peer Educators from Cape Town and Bellville Campuses in making a positive impact on HIV/AIDS/ STI and TB on and off campus through activities like the Male Indaba and Female Lekgotla, World TB Day and the Men as Partners programme.

“Peer Educators are strong pillars for taking the message across the same age group,” noted Motale in her opening address. Emphasising the group’s unique position to influence the attitudes and behaviour of their peers, she added, “They are a powerful tool to disseminate accurate and correct information and to tell us the most relevant stories.”

The opening ceremony, which was written and directed by Mohammed, involved the Peer Educators and the Unit’s staff and postgraduate students. It provided insight into the guiding principles of the Peer Educators’ work as they recited the Safer Sex and TB Pledges, Oath of Service and Call of Duty and the ABC Model (Abstain, Be Faithful, and Condomise).

The ceremony’s highlight was an original poem by Steve Ntaba, runner-up for the Peer Assistant award. “We shall break the stigma in our communities to influence change. We shall speak of the disease and protect our fellows,” Ntaba recited, encouraging strong leadership and responsibility among youth. “We shall redefine South Africa .”

In his keynote address, Dr Roland Croxford said that he was encouraged by the spirit, enthusiasm and integrity of Ntaba and his peers, which gave him great hope. A physician focusing on HIV/AIDS and TB at the Desmond Tutu HIV Research Unit and Living Hope Hospice in Fish Hoek, Dr Croxford noted that, sadly, the majority of his patients are in their thirties, reflecting the fact that they were infected in their late teens and twenties – the age of most higher education students. Because this age group is particularly vulnerable, the Peer Educators’ interventions are crucial, especially in terms of prevention.

“My message to the Peer Educators is that you can save lives. You can make a difference,” said Dr Croxford, encouraging the students to continue their important work. “You can make lives worthwhile and productive. It’s perfectly possible to live a good, normal and productive life with HIV. In fact, with some modifications, you can live a life that’s no different to anybody living without HIV.”

The Unit is currently recruiting Peer Educators for the 2009 academic year. Interested students can get more information by visiting the Unit’s main office in Room 2.500A, Administration Building , Cape Town Campus, phoning 021 460 4253 or e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By Sarah Burdeniuk, HIV/AIDS Unit

Written by CPUT News

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The Department of Nursing Science is leading an initiative which aims to strengthen efforts to ensure the gradual safe return of staff and students to campuses.

The project has provided training, conducted via Microsoft Teams, for Campus Protection Services (CPS) as well as heads of departments and faculties and cleaning services.

“The focus was mainly on personal safety, wearing of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), access control and measuring temperature,” said Prof Karien Jooste, Head of the Department of Nursing Science. Jooste drew up a training programme for nurse educators who are experts in Occupational Health to provide the training. The training was coordinated and facilitated by the department’s Natalie Copeling and her team. 

The project was conducted in liaison with Human Capital: Learning and Development and Melanie Marais, Head of HIV/AIDS Unit as well as Campus Health Clinics.
CPS and cleaning staff were provided with information specifically tailored for their role in the processes.
According to Jooste, training of the CPS staff focused on the part that these staff will play in the screening of temperatures. “Training also included the use of interpersonal skills to address the possible fears and uncertainty that staff may have in relation to both the screening process and the return to campus within the constraints of our ‘new normal’”.

She added that the training for cleaning services staff will reinforce the way of cleaning, where to clean specifically and the chemicals used for the cleaning and disinfecting processes. Information sessions are also offered to all CPUT staff to provide a clearer idea of how to prepare the campus for the return of staff and students as well as what to expect on return.
“Participating in training is a constructive way to give back to the community and is in line with the slogan of the department: Carers for the future!” said Jooste.

The initiative comes as the department marks the Year of Nurse and the Midwife. This year has been designated as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife by the World Health Organisation to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale and to recognise the critical contribution nurses make to global health.

Marais said training for peer educators in residences had also been provided.

The Nursing Science Department encouraged the CPUT community to continue:

• washing hands regularly
• practising social distancing
• wearing a mask

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A conference which empowered young women in higher education with skills such as entrepreneurship, self-defence and personal branding was recently held on the Bellville Campus.

The two-day conference, which was hosted by the HIV/Aids Unit, was attended by approximately 300 female students from universities and TVET Colleges around the Western Cape.
Prof Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Health MEC, told the young women to be wary of risky sexual activities as it could lead to their downfall such as unwanted pregnancies, sexual transmitted infections and abusive relationships.
“Girls are groomed for men’s sexual gratification,” she said.

Mbombo decried the patriarchal environment which raises boys differently from girls and added that young women sometimes feel the pressure to have children in order to please or gain hold over their men and that transactional sex is a common practice these days as women wants to live the good life. 

Acting Dean: Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, said she works with communities around issues of gender-based violence. 
“In this country women are not well at the moment and this means that the society at large is ill,” said Engel-Hills.

HEAIDS Project Manager, Alex Semba, said the conference was a platform for the delegates to network with each other.
Semba discussed the programmes that HEAIDS is providing to universities and colleges to address the ‘blessing’ culture in a bid to reduce HIV infections among women between the ages of 15 and 24 by 30%.
He said health and wellness is important in order for higher education institutions to perform their core functions of teaching, research and community engagement. 
During the conference the delegates received goodie bags and spot prizes, and were equipped with a range of skills including personal safety, entrepreneurship and leadership.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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On 17 August 2009, the Office of the Dean of Students hosted an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for CPUT staff and students themed ‘Living Openly Positive’ at the Auditorium on the Bellville campus.

The campaign was the outcome of discussions held at meetings of the CPUT HEAIDS Institutional Organisation Committee (HICC), which is chaired by Dean of Students Cora Njoli Motale.

The inspiring programme featured speakers Derrick Fine and Elaine Maane from the Openly Positive Trust, who highlighted their personal experiences and discussed the responsibilities they faced after confirming their status.

They encouraged guests to come forward and fight stigma by sharing their stories and experiences of living with and being affected by HIV and AIDS.

The CPUT programme also featured several operatic melodies by the Gugulethu Tenors, a group of talented local youths with powerful voices.

Launched in 2007, the Openly Positive Trust is a non-profit organisation focused at building a “supportive, stigma-free environment for people living with HIV and AIDS” and helping them to live positively and disclose their status.

The trust aims to encourage “open living” with HIV and AIDS, to share the stories and experiences of people living with HIV and to be visible role models in promoting positive living, health and non-stigmatising communication around HIV/AIDS.

Other goals include working towards equality and non-discrimination for people living with the virus and implementing the GIPA Principle (the Greater Involvement of People living with HIV and AIDS) in policies, programmes and projects affecting communities.

Openly Positive also conducts workshops and talks, acts as an advocate for health and human rights and develops resources distributed in the organisations and institutions they serve.

Fine and Maane, two of the organisation’s four trustees, have lived with HIV/AIDS for over ten years and have authored the books Clouds Move and Umzala, which have been purchased by CPUT for the Campus Libraries.

In the near future, the trust will publish a new collection of stories from people living positively with HIV and those affected with AIDS based across the continent.

Interested parties are encouraged to visit the trust’s website at www.openlypositive.com for more details on the upcoming project.

By Thando J. Moiloa

Written by CPUT News
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Do you remember the familiar red T-shirt that read: First Things First? Now you will see a striking navy blue T-shirt with the following words written on it: Improving Wellbeing, Inspiring Success.

The Higher Education Aids (HEAIDS) project has been renamed Higher Education and Training Health Wellness and Development Centre (Higher Health).

Higher Health is an implementing agency of the Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology working under Universities South Africa.

Higher Health is a representative body of 26 South African universities and 50 public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. It is a non-profit company that supports Higher Education Institutions and TVET colleges in responding to student health, wellness and development.

“Through Higher Health, CPUT has for years been receiving support in terms of funding to strengthen our existing health screening and student development programs,” says Melanie Marais, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit. “We pride ourselves with a vibrant peer education programme where students are trained to engage their peers on topics related to HIV, STI and TB risk reduction; responses to gender-based violence; impact of substance and alcohol abuse; gender diversity; mental health awareness and promoting a safe space for all students.”

CPUT peer educators kicked off the year with Condom Awareness Week encouraging their peers to get to know their health statuses and adopt safer lifestyle practices that are less risky. On 14 February, they were visible across most campuses with some self-initiated Valentine’s Day interventions.

“Our motto in supporting One Smart CPUT is, to improve well-being and inspire success to all our students,” added Marais. “We will also be visible at the first Gender-Based Violence Student Leadership Dialogue that will be taking place on 29 February 2020 in the Bellville Campus Auditorium where students will engage on this much needed discussion.”

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Students at CPUT can count on a reliable service for their wellness needs from the HIV/AIDS Unit.

The unit aims to prevent, control and manage HIV/Aids, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and TB among students and staff.

It works hand in hand with Student Counselling, Campus Health Clinics and the Disability Unit towards the holistic well-being of all students.

The unit runs awareness campaigns, research and community outreach programmes and provides peer education, care and support. It also has a Wellness Mobile Unit.

“We are proud of our Wellness Mobile Unit that makes it possible to reach our different campuses throughout the year, bringing healthcare services to your doorstep,” says head of the unit Melanie Marais.

“In addition to these existing roles, we are involved in curriculum integration of HIV/AIDS, STI and TB.”

The unit will also participate in the three-week orientation program that will see them run HIV counselling and testing campaigns across all campuses.

“Our encouragement to you is to support our services throughout the year, get to know your HIV status, practise safe sex and most importantly enjoy your time here,” says Marais.

For more information visit the unit at the Cape Town Campus, Administration Building, 2^ndfloor or contact the office at +27 21 460 4253, +27 21 460 4252 or 021 959 6898.

You can also follow the unit’s activities on Facebook or Twitter.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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Melanie Marais has dedicated her life to helping students achieve their full potential.

At CPUT, Marais heads up the HIV/Aids Unit, and together with her team, are daily making a difference in the lives of students.

She shared her story with CPUT news.

Why did you become involved in the field of HIV/Aids?

I am a registered nurse, so caring for people is part of my existence. When I worked for Sanlam Health (around 1998) the employer was looking for a volunteer to be the contact person between Sanlam Health and the service provider that was contracted to do HIV Disease Management. It meant that I would have to do this work over and above my existing job role at the time and I was happy to do it without any additional compensation. I did my own research to learn more about HIV and its management. Looking back now, I realise this was God's plan for my life, to make a difference in the HIV and related field.

What initiatives have you, together with your team, rolled at CPUT?

We teamed up with the College of Cape Town through a mentorship program to support them with the establishment of an HIV Program at their campuses and we trained 10 of their students as peer educators. We also increased male participation in HIV Counseling Testing and Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision programs.

We launched the annual Youth Leadership HIV&AIDS Conference in 2015 in collaboration with neighbouring higher education institutions. Students engaged on social and HIV related issues that affect them directly.

We also supported Musa Morgan, a CPUT Mechanical Engineering graduate, with establishing a more inclusive brand & marketing strategy for his innoviation Uyindoda MMC Underwear that is now registered and marketed as Circumfort MMC Underwear. CPUT receive a lot of exposure because of our robust program and this is only through great teamwork and managing stakeholder relationships.

Can you point out a personal career highlight?

Being able to take the HIV/AIDS Unit to another level through skills that I have learnt through the years.

I also obtained a Master’s Degree in Nursing and I am currently busy with my PhD.

I wrote and published a poetry book in 2000 titled: "Yes, God Can!” and also supported a gospel artist with the launch of three albums through project management, from the raw material to the final product and the launch.

What is the secret behind your success?

Passion, passion and more passion.  You need to have a heart for people no matter what. My faith also plays a huge role in my approach to life and the field that I am working in.

What woman inspires you and why?

Diana Ferrus is a woman who inspires me a lot. She made a huge impact through a poem that she wrote for Sarah Baartman "I've come to take you home". This poem inspired the French government to send Sarah Baartman's remains back home and Diana was asked by the South African government to accompany Sarah's remains home.  That's the kind of impact I hope to make through something really simple.

Do you have any words of advice for other women?

The sky is the limit. Let nothing stop you from achieving greatness. Let’s show the world it cannot survive without us.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The HIV/AIDS Unit, in partnership with the Campus Health Clinic, the Department of Health and TB/HIV Care Association, has launched a Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Campaign.

The campaign, which targets male students, is being piloted at the Cape Town Campus but will be rolled out to other campuses in due course. CPUT is the first university in the Western Cape to launch such a campaign.

With the primary objective of encouraging males to get circumcised, the campaign also aims to encourage males to lead a positive lifestyle that is governed by risk-free behaviour and physical fitness, as well as a positive mental attitude.

Addressing yesterday’s launch at the Cape Town Campus, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Prins Nevhutalu encouraged the audience to talk frankly about sex and not treat it as a taboo subject.

Nevhutalu warned the audience that HIV is prevalent and that prevention is its only cure.

Male staff members from the HIV/Aids Unit and its partners also addressed the audience and emphasized the benefits of medical male circumcision. They all agreed that while circumcision reduced the risk of contracting HIV it is no substitute for condom use.

“Circumcision does not mean that you don’t need to use a condom,” said SRC President Mbongiseni Mbatha

Endorsed by the Global Fund Project, Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) and the Department of Health, the campaign will achieve its goals through emphasizing the benefits of medical male circumcision as well as the various structures and NGOs that are educating the targeted audience at their exhibition stalls.

The campaign will also be launched between 10:00-14:00 at the following campuses:

• Wellington Campus, in the CP Van Der Merwe Hall on 18 August
• Bellville Campus in the Student Centre on 4 September

Written by Kwanele Butana
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