Reflections on Science and a Pandemic

What an incredible honour it is for me to come to South Africa as an honourary graduate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. I am here today because I have been given more than my share of praise and recognition for recent advances made in AIDS research. Achievement in research seldom belongs to a single individual. Science is a richly collaborative endeavour, and my personal recognition is merely symbolic for the many important discoveries and contributions made by a cadre of talented scientists in the field. As Isaac Newton aptly put it, "If I had seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulder of giants."

Towards an AIDS Ethics Charter

My thoughts and feelings have been dominated by the HIV/AIDS tragedy. I have been taking a block of lectures on AIDS and Ethics at the local campus, with contributions from people like Jerry Coovadia, Ronald Nicholson, Felix Murove and Graham Lindegger. The idea was to provide a good understanding of the pandemic and then explore one of its most neglected facets - the unprecedented and difficult ethical challenges it creates.

Film educates youth on HIV/AIDS

An African film targeting young men is being used across Africa to educate youth about sexual health issues and HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS and education in vicious cycle

Education could play a critical role in HIV/AIDS prevention but the pandemic's devastating impact threatens to derail any such efforts, the World Bank warns in a new report. "HIV/AIDS is draining the supply of education, eroding its quality, weakening demand and access, drying up countries' pools of skilled workers and increasing the sector's costs," the report 'Education and HIV/AIDS: A Window of Hope' released on 7 May said.

'Play with Yourself' : Ray Phiri's' views on safe sex

Well-known South African jazz musician Ray Phiri, who has performed with the group Stimela, was in Harare recently with what he calls his "One Armed Struggle Regiment" to give the message, "Play with yourself," referring to masturbation as a way of safeguarding against contracting HIV. The name "One-Armed Struggle Regiment" is derived from the act of masturbation as usually practised by men (using one hand).

Risk Reduction Programme for tertiary students now available

"Sex & Risk" is an innovative research-based HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction Programme developed by a team of psychologists at the University of Durban-Westville and tailored to students in the higher education sector. "Sex & Risk" begins where most other AIDS education programmes end. It assumes that most member of its target group - tertiary students - already have some knowledge and awareness of the risk of HIV/AIDS, but are unable to effectively translate this awareness into sustainable behaviour change.

Creches spurning HIV+ kids 'to lose funding'

There is no existing policy concerning the admittance of HIV-positive children into nursery schools or creches.

Asmal proposes education as a social vaccine against HIV

In his address to the South African Education Ministry's first national conference on HIV/AIDS (entitled "An Education Coalition against HIV/AIDS"), Education Minister Professor Kader Asmal put forward the concept of education as a "social vaccine" against the spread of HIV infection.

Government HIV/AIDS Contact Details

National Government contact details:

KZN Education and Culture MEC's Youth Day message

Twenty-six years ago, on the 16th June 1976, the youth of South Africa rose up to face the might of the apartheid machinery in pursuit of the struggle for liberation. As our youth, on Youth Day, ponder over these sacrifices which contributed to the freedom we now have, they would do well to heed the lessons encapsulated in the struggle of 1976.