November 23, 2005
By Tammy O'Reilly
PORTIA Joyce speaks candidly about her HIV-positive status. Talking about the virus is key to her mental wellness, and when her mind is healthy, it keeps her motivated to take care of her physical health.
"It's just one big cycle," she says. "If you are educating someone about Aids then you are helping the nation. If you are HIV-positive and want to talk about how you are feeling, then you help yourself."
Yet again, this message will be promoted on World Aids Day 2005, on 1 December - that talking about HIV/Aids seems to be an effective way of communicating the impact of the disease. This sentiment is being firmly echoed by the City of Johannesburg.
The City launched its Aids Day campaign ahead of the day at the Ubuntu Kraal in Soweto. SABC2's news and information programme, Morning Live, was broadcast from the location, and Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo informed the nation of the City's role in bringing about awareness of the disease.
Lighting the flame: Johannesburg Executive Mayor Amos Masondo launches the City's Aids campaign
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
He announced that the City would continue its five-day, door-to-door campaign, starting on 28 November, and running until World Aids Day.
"The City of Johannesburg will once again embark on a door-to-door campaign to deepen awareness about HIV/Aids. This year we are going to be vigorously targeting Alexandra but other parts of the City will not be neglected," Masondo said.
More than 3 000 volunteers will go from door to door handing out condoms and information pamphlets, and encouraging people to get tested. They will also help counsel people infected with or affected by the virus.
A valuable addition to the campaign are food hampers, dubbed Buckets of Love and Care, that will be handed out. The city will hand out 4 000 plastic buckets filled with non-perishable foodstuffs and household items like washing powder to people who have been identified as the most needy.
These hampers will be distributed by faith-based organisations, which will ensure all recipients are known to the City and can be registered on the indigent list for assistance in other ways.
Buckets of Love and Care was made possible through money raised at the Mayoral Golf Day in April this year. More than R600 000 was collected from donations made by businesses and non-governmental organisations, leading to the establishment of the Joburg Mayoral Aids Fund in September.
"The Joburg Mayoral Aids Council consists of the mayor, members of the mayoral committee and leaders from various civic organisations," explained Council Speaker Councillor Nandi Mayathula Khoza.
"The funds that are raised will be used as a basis to liberate other resources. We hope that it demonstrates to people that we are genuinely supportive of the needy people in our city."
Masondo will host various fund-raising activities like operas, concerts and dinners, and all cash generated will go towards supporting other City HIV/Aids initiatives.
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