November 28, 2007
By George Matlala
FACES beaming with happiness, the residents in a Malvern hospice received early Christmas gifts from the City in the build up to World Aids Day on Saturday, 1 December.
Joburg's first citizen, Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, accompanied by officials from the City's health department and the Johannesburg Aids Council (JAC), visited the Dudu Zwane Hospice Centre in Malvern, in the east of Johannesburg, and handed over blankets, food parcels, and electrical appliances, and painted the shelter. The initiative fell under the Johannesburg Mayoral Aids Fund.
World Aids Day is observed on 1 December. On the day, governments, Aids programmes, faith organisations, community organisations, and individuals around the world raise awareness of and focus attention on the global Aids pandemic.
As part of its activities to mark the day, the City has been conducting an HIV/Aids Awareness Campaign since Monday, 26 November, which will culminate in the Nelson Mandela 46664 Concert on Saturday, 1 December. The theme for this year is Turn the talk into action – lead by example.
Get tested
In line with the Gauteng HIV and Aids Strategy, the City campaign focuses on the importance of testing for HIV and increasing the level of awareness and understanding of the pandemic in communities and workplaces. It also highlights social issues fuelling the disease, including poverty, gender imbalances and sexual abuse.
Another objective is to promote available resources in the community and workplace in support of people infected with and affected by the virus.
Speaking at the handover at the Dudu Zwane Hospice Centre on Tuesday, 27 November, Masondo noted that people were losing hope in the fight against the pandemic and were worrying about a cure. "It is not the first time that humanity faces this kind of problem," he said, emphasising that people living with the disease needed to be encouraged to be optimistic. "Let's not discriminate against people who have the disease. A friend with HIV and is still my friend."
The key to fighting the pandemic was changing people's behaviour. "Changing human beings is one of the most difficult things," he noted. Social institutions such as churches could be used to encourage people, especially young people, to fight the disease. Traditional measures such circumcising could also help. "We must mobilise everyone to fight against HIV/Aids."
People had to be tested for HIV to stop the spread of the disease, Masondo said, noting that there were signs that the rate of new infections was slowing down. However, a lot of work still had to be done. "The war against Aids is winnable; let us be optimistic and we shall overcome."
Dudu Zwane
The mayor also paid tribute to the late political activist Dudu Zwane, after whom the hospice was named. Zwane was a community worker who provided trauma counselling services and distributed food parcels to needy families. "I am grateful that the idea of naming the centre after her won the day."
Matshidiso Mfikoe, the member of the mayoral committee for health, and Refik Bismilla, the executive director of health, were among the dignitaries that visited the hospice. Mfikoe echoed Masondo's sentiments, saying that although people were getting the message about the disease, more work still had to be done.
The health department would keep on preaching the message of prevention, abstinence and faithfulness in their campaigns, she said, noting that it was undertaking a door-door campaign in Diepsloot.
HIV/Aids was not transmitted only through sexual intercourse, she said, dispelling the perception that HIV is a "promiscuity disease". Mfikoe called on residents to be responsible during the festive season. "The main message is that people should protect themselves, behave responsibly, have protected sex and be faithful," she emphasised.
The hospice
The Dudu Zwane Hospice Centre started as an old age home, called St Christopher, in the early 1990s. It housed old people referred by social workers and churches in the area. In 2000, it began to care for and support HIV-positive destitute homosexuals from around Johannesburg. It was donated by Akhona Foundation and changed its name to St Charles, supporting people with HIV/Aids and destitute individuals and families in 2003. The centre was renamed Dudu Zwane to honour the late activist in 2005.
Executive mayor Amos Masondo brings early Christmas presents to the Dudu Zwane Hospice Centre in Malvern
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
Thulani Mngomezulu, the director of the hospice, said that although the City's department of social development donated R65 000 in August, its biggest problem was funding. "We are struggling with funding because we don't have stable funders," he said, thanking the City for its continued support.
At least 27 people had died since the hospice was established, he said. Psychologists were invited at times to support the staff and clients. Mngomezulu also urged people to behave responsibly and to protect themselves, especially during sexual intercourse.
"The disease is here. You can get it irrespective of your colour. Let us take a stand to protect ourselves to build this nation," he said.
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