Community engagement success

INNOVATION: The CPUT soccer team assembled by the HIV/Aids Unit used soccer to convey the Aids message to Malmesbury Prison’s inmates at the prison.

Thursday, 13 December 2012

The CPUT HIV/Aids Unit has taken community engagement to another level by assembling a soccer team to play against prisoners at the Malmesbury Correctional Service.

The unit has been running successful community outreach programs at the centre since 2004. Following a request for a friendly soccer match by the inmates, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit, Prof Ashraf Mohammed, facilitated the formation of a team with the view of strengthening the connection between the prison and the Unit.

“At the same time, we innovatively used soccer as a medium to convey to the inmates the message of HIV/Aids/STI and TB,” says Mohammed.

The team comprised of students, Peer Educators as well as CPUT staff from different departments. The event was also used to recruit new Peer Educators for the 2013 academic year.

The match ended in a stalemate as the teams scored a goal apiece in the second half, with the host being the first ones to score. The HIV/Aids Unit’s team later drew level after it was awarded a penalty kick, which was converted successfully by Excy Mgaba much to the delight of the unit’s supporters.

Because of the overwhelming success of the day, Mohammed declared that it would now become an annual event at the prison.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za

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Community engagement success