We have seen the light

The Lesedi-Lechabile project, based in and around the mining towns of Virginia and Welkom, is a beacon for HIV prevention in the mining industry. This community intervention has proven to be successful in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and, although it cannot be directly attributed to decreasing the transmission of HIV among miners, evaluation of the project has strongly suggested that it has an impact on the spread of HIV among these men. It has also changed the lives of the vulnerable women residing and working in €œhotspots€ near the mines.

US initiative provides free treatment in Umlazi

In the absence of a clear-cut policy from the South African government, a United States-backed community initiative is forging ahead and is treating 250 people with HIV/AIDS free of charge with anti-retroviral drugs at the Ithembalabantu Clinic (Place of Hope) at Umlazi in Durban.

Fight AIDS by forming a partnership with government

On her recent visit to Cape Town as a UN goodwill ambassador, African diva and queen of funk Angelique Kidjo urged young women to refuse unprotected sex.

Fight HIV/AIDS like apartheid, Nelson Mandela urges

Former president Nelson Mandela has called on the world to fight HIV/AIDS with a stronger resolve than was used to defeat apartheid.

Village offers oasis of care and support

Behind some trees, just off the N2 highway past Richards Bay, a unique village is taking shape that aims to address the many problems faced by people with HIV/AIDS.

A village with a mission

Fikile Ndlovu brings a cup of liquidised sour fig and bulbinella to the lips of a spectral young man, lying listlessly in bed. "The herbal remedy is for oral thrush. It is very good. I have treated quite a number of patients and it has cured them of it," she says, her eyes glowing with excitement as she shows me the green remedy.

Community in action: Ottawa KZN pulls together

The Ottawa/Parkgate community, situated on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast, is a very small one. On World AIDS Day, its residents and representatives from a range of sectors joined together to mobilise around HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support, and a small team from HIVAN participated in the first such event of its kind in the area. By all accounts, it was an exemplary day, with groups from the private sector, the arts, as well as local schools, NGOs and CBOs taking part. The guest speaker was Dr Atom Dilraj from the MRC in Durban.

National HIV/AIDS Database: Call for Submissions

The Centre for Health Systems Research and Development (University of the Free State) and The Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN, University of KwaZulu-Natal) is compiling a national database of all organizations involved in HIV/AIDS projects, programmes and activities in South Africa, at the behest of the National Department of Health.

Stigma and HIV Prevention: The Way Forward

The final session of the 2003 series of WCRP-HIVAN Fora for faith-based organisations and HIV/AIDS researchers took place on 9 December, with Rabbi Michael Standfield, Professor Suzanne Leclerc-Madlala and Dr Shakira Cassim as guest speakers. Their respective presentations centred on positive approaches to dealing with the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS, and communicating for "Second Generation" HIV prevention measures.

Students cycle on epic journey to raise funding for orphans of HIV/AIDS

A team of energetic cyclists set off at dawn today (16 January, 2004) on a challenging cross-country journey to raise money for orphans left destitute by HIV/AIDS.