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South Africa's World AIDS Day 2002 Campaign kicks off
Department of Health Press Release - Government AIDS Action Plan. 31 October 2002.
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The Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, was today the first South African to give a donation as part of this year's World AIDS Day campaign. South Africa's theme for World AIDS Day 2002 is "I care enough to help, do you?", and the main idea behind it builds on last year's theme: "I care enough to act" - aiming to ensure that the care and support elements in society are highlighted and broadened to include as wide a stakeholder contribution as possible.
It is a call to action for all South Africans, who are being urged to donate school stationery and items for school uniforms - white shirts and black school shoes, tinned and non-perishable foods, toys and clothing. Home-made blankets and shawls are also welcome. By giving a donation, no matter how big or small, everyone can show that they care enough to help fellow South Africans who are affected by HIV/AIDS.
The giving campaign officially begins on 1 November and runs until 24 November 2002. Donations can be placed at any of the 250 Pick 'n Pay stores throughout South Africa. The Pick 'n Pay chain has joined the government as a partner in this year's World AIDS Day campaign by agreeing to provide a national channel through which everyone in South Africa can contribute something to people and communities most affected by HIV/AIDS.
"South Africa's theme and campaign are in line with the international theme for 2002, which is 'Live and Let Live'," said the Minister of Health. "Internationally, there is a push to address the stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS and acts as the biggest obstacle to fighting the global epidemic." The Minister's donation consisted of school stationery, school shoes and school shirts.
"However, we have taken it a step further in South Africa. Due to the difficult living conditions of many of our people and communities who are affected by HIV/AIDS, not only are we calling on South Africans to accept them, but also to help them, and giving is both an act of acceptance and of help," the Minister said.
"The reason I gave school uniform items is that many of our children - bright and capable of attending school - fail to do so because they feel ashamed that their clothing is not suitable for school," explains the Minister. During November, Pick 'n Pay will sort through the donations received and then utilise its national distribution channels to deliver the donations to 10 organisations in each province. This means that 90 needy support-and-care organisations throughout South Africa will receive invaluable assistance from South Africans.
In addition to the 10 organisations per province, the government has also agreed with the Red Cross that they would become the 11th channel in each province, and will distribute the goods collected to a further network of smaller organisations that are more difficult to reach, including non- governmental organisations, community-based organisations and small support groups.
The giving campaign will be coupled with provincial social mobilisation drives, faith-based services and local campaigns that will include door-to-door initiatives. This intense period of activity will culminate at a national event to be held on 1 December in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, at which will gather about 15 000 South Africans from all over the country.
"The success of the campaign will also be ensured through the government's partnership with the SABC, which will inform South Africans about the campaign and its progress, while Spoornet, another active partner in the Partnership Against AIDS, has agreed to provide trains to carry citizens from several provinces to the national event in Kimberley," said the Minister.
The Minister also reminded South Africans to light the 'Flame of Hope' at 19h00 on Sunday 1 December 2002, and in this way to demonstrate their care and support for people in South Africa and all over the world who are living with HIV/AIDS. |
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