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
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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

Written by CPUT News
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