World AIDS Day – 1 December 2006

Embargo: none

World AIDS Day was commemorated by the South African Red Cross Society’s national office by holding a candle-lighting and remembrance ceremony, followed by the launch of a promotional DVD highlighting the challenges of young people in the townships of Cape Town.

Across the country, events were held to recognize the world of HIV and AIDS workers around the world, and to remember those who had lost the fight against AIDS.

In the Eastern Cape, the focus was on orphans and vulnerable children, and a function was held for the children in the care of SARCS in the area.

It was a busy World AIDS Day in KwaZulu Natal, with events as diverse as a community gathering at a local sports field, with demonstrations by Zulu dancers and singers, paramedics and fire fighters. SARCS personnel were on hand to educate the public about HIV and AIDS and promote voluntary counseling and testing – to a street collection in Newcastle, which included disseminating Red Cross brochures to members of the public.

One of the main themes for the day, across the province, was reduction of stigma and educating people about the use of anti-retrovirals. An exciting campaign in Zululand saw SARCS volunteers and staff engaging in a door-to-door dissemination campaign.

Never a provincial office to be outdone, the Western Cape also held a door-to-door education campaign from 27 November to 1 December, which complemented a display at the MSAT Exhibition. Their community spirit was commended when SARCS volunteers manned a refreshment station at a PAWC Fun Run.

The Western Cape World AIDS Day concluded with volunteers and facilitators joining a municipal outreach programme that sought to educate people about all aspects of the HIV and AIDS pandemic.