Durban AIDS vaccine trial site to close down

A donor decision not to renew funding has led to the closure of an AIDS vaccine trial site in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the South African province hardest hit by the epidemic.

Face to Face with Professor Nigel Rollins

Professor Nigel Rollins believes that the value of good nutrition should not be lost in the fray over antiretroviral drugs

Cindi 10th anniversary conference April 2006: Abstract Deadline 15 October 2005

CINDI Members have been working together for 10 years to address the needs of vulnerable children in the context of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in KwaZulu-Natal. We invite you to our 10 year anniversary conference in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa from the 3 - 7 April 2006. The Conference will provide an opportunity for practitioners, policy makers and other concerned people to gather together and share ten years' experience of good practice and enter into discussions about the needs of children in the coming decade.

KZN still struggling to curb spread of HIV/AIDS

KwaZulu-Natal remains the epicentre of the HIV and AIDS epidemic despite efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Statistics released by the health department show that 40,7 percent of the population is infected with the virus. Ten years ago the figure stood at 14,4 percent. The director of the AIDS Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Chris Mokolatsie, said it was troubling that the percentage of infected people had risen from 33,5 percent in 2001 to 36,5 percent in 2002 and 37,5 percent in 2003.

New effort to ease community's HIV/AIDS woes

A community grappling with HIV/AIDS on the outskirts of South Africa's east-coast city of Durban might soon find relief in an unlikely place. Religious and community leaders are converting 'The Blue Roofs', previously a nightclub, into an HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centre for residents in the predominantly mixed-race township of Wentworth.

Community Responses To HIV/AIDS In South Africa: Findings From A Multi-Community Survey

This CADRE report examines the local-level responses to HIV and AIDS in three South African communities. It focuses on the activities of government institutions, civil society and faith-based organisations (CSOs/FBOs) and examines the dynamics and patterns of activity among these community level organisations. Findings from the study show a significant increase in organisation involvement in the HIV and AIDS response, with CSOs acting as key players.

Khomanani Day €“ Make your pledge for life

Khomanani Day falls on the 9th October, the anniversary of the Govermnent€™s Partnership Against AIDS, which was launched in 1998. The 9th of October will see a live broadcast on SABC2 , which will be the culmination of an extensive national campaign to encourage individuals, families, companies and communities to pledge themselves to take action in some tangible way, however small or large, against HIV and AIDS.

Community Activist to Attend Leadership Conference

A local community activist has been selected as one of the 24 women to represent South Africa at a conference aimed at improving standards of women leaders in civil society. Ms Beauty Sekethe of Grange Township in Pietermaritzburg - who has worked tirelessly for her community will participate in the Interaction Programme for a New Generation of African Leaders organised by the British Council.

Virginity testing - absence of a small tissue becomes big issue

This weekend, thousands of Zulu maidens will make their way to Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province, to participate in 'Umhlanga', the annual reed dance ceremony celebrating virginity.

Grim Statistics on World's Poor Youth Show Millions at Risk

More than 500 million youths worldwide live on less than $2 a day, 113 million are not in school, 88 million are unemployed and 10 million have HIV/AIDS, all significant challenges for reaching the 2015 goals of reducing poverty by half, increasing literacy, and improving the health of people around the world, a United Nations report released today says.