KwaThema – The Metro hosted a wellness campaign at Ekurhuleni East College aimed at eradicating the spread of HIV/Aids among students, last Saturday.
Jullie Beya, acting divisional head of the youth directorate at the mayor’s office, says that the statistics on the rising number of students, especially in TVET colleges, that are infected, is alarming.
“We created the Graduate Alive Programme to promote a healthy lifestyle among the students, with hopes that even after they leave the institutions they will remain healthy.”
Beya says they encourage the students to test for HIV/Aids and learn how to cope with the results whether positive or negative.
She adds that those who are already living with the virus need to be supported to live healthily and not spread the virus any further.
“The youth of 1976 took to the streets to confront a struggle of that era. We have done the same today to confront a new struggle for opportunities.
How can we grab any opportunities if we aren’t healthy? ”
The day started with a 5km walk from the college through the streets of KwaThema then back to the campus.
Captain Thabo Sibuyi of KwaThema SAPS says he is happy to see young people gather for a good purpose.
“The future of the whole nation rests on the shoulders of the youth.
We need them alive and healthy.”
Beya adds that the mayor, Mzwandile Masina, has expressed a desire to build a university in Ekurhuleni.
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