The HIV/AIDS unit under the Social Services Directorate at the Randfontein Local Municipality will be hosting an AIDS Day event on 29 November at the Baipei Informal Settlement at 9.30am.
This is to continue raising awareness about the pandemic as well as about ways of living with it and also to address the stigma attached to the disease.
World AIDS Day is officially celebrated on 1 December.
According to HIV/AIDS coordinator at the Randfontein Local Municipality Phumla Jonas-Moloisane, there can never be enough awareness about the pandemic and that is why they are constantly trying to bridge the gap that exists through awareness campaigns.
“Despite the constant education about the pandemic, we still get people that are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
“What we will be doing at the event is not only to inform people of how to practice safe sex but to inform them that there is life after being infected and how to live with people who are infected.
“We are also trying to get rid of the mindset that HIV and AIDS marks the end of a person’s life,” says Jonas-Maloise.
She adds that their focus is mainly in informal settlements owing to the fact that there is a shortage of resources in these areas.
Anyone who needs more information on the event can contact Jonas-Maloisane on 011 411 0178 or on 083 9500 970.
