CPUT’s HIV/AIDS Unit joined thousands across the globe on Monday, 16th May 2011 to remember those who have died of AIDS and support those who are living with the disease. On the 28th anniversary of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, Acting Head of the unit, Alex Semba says, “It was an honour to have such a great show of support from the CPUT community and the learners that we invited to be a part of the memorial in showing compassion and concern for people living with HIV/AIDS.”

“We heard remarks from Derrick Fine, founder of the Openly Positive Trust, Neliswa Nkwali of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Central SRC Secretary Siyabonga Ngozi, and our own Health Promotor Marius Harmsen. We were treated to beautiful songs by the CPUT Choir and their soloist. The event was also a chance for the audience to learn about the HIV/AIDS support services offered on campus,” says Semba.

Openly Positive displayed their newly launched book in which Harmsen’s story, ‘Too lazy to die’ is featured, as part of a collection of short stories titled Whisper Not - 15 Africans speak out on life and love beyond HIV. Another author, professional nurse and mother of four Ann Ray Ray also delivered a powerful personal testimony of living positively.

The book celebrates the lives of ordinary men and women from across Africa, relating their experiences of living with HIV. They say by no longer speaking in whispers about HIV and AIDS, one can live a healthy, full and positive life.

“Even if one couldn't attend the event yesterday, one can still be commemorate the memorial by lighting a candle in your private space in remembrance of those who have died, and in support of those who are living with HIV/AIDS”, says Semba.

More information about the Openly Positive book collection can be obtained from the HIV/AIDS Unit, located on the 2nd Floor, Cape Town campus Admin Building on Tel: 021 460 4253.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

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

Written by CPUT News
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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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