CPUT has been congratulated for being a front-runner amongst tertiary institutions in the fight against HIV/Aids. The 7th annual Peer Education Awards Ceremony was hosted by CPUT’s HIV/Aids unit recently.

The aim of the event is to acknowledge the sterling work Peer Educators do in fighting the disease amongst students.

Director of the Higher Education Aids Department (HEAids), Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia, said CPUT is doing very well compared to the 23 other institutions his organisation monitors.

“Peer education is the way forward and I believe in it,” he said.

“CPUT is doing very well and I appreciate your efforts.”

The glitzy event, which was held at the Tuscany Gardens Hall in Rylands, made certain the Peer Educators were centre of attention.

Guests were treated to a song and dance performance as well as a delicious three course meal.

HIV/Aids Unit HOD, Dr Ashraf Mohammed, called the students his ‘A-Team’ and reminded them of the important work they do each day.

“It’s easier for the youth to speak to the youth and tonight is about saying thank you,” he expressed.

The HIV/Aids Unit has also benefitted from a close working relationship with the German government in recent years. The liaison for this programme, Lionel Adriaan, explained the significance of the relationship and introduced two German students currently in SA and working with the unit.

“They bring a wealth of experience here with them and we are grateful to have them,” said Adriaan.

Before the evening ended, students were awarded a certificate for the contributions. 

By: Lauren Kansley

Photo by: Clive Galant (Fundani CHED)

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Motivated by its mission to promote a healthy lifestyle, the CPUT HIV/Aids Unit ran a workshop to educate football players in Khayelitsha about their role as partners in sexual relationships.

The workshop, which CPUT ran in conjunction with Partners in Sexual Health (PSH), was held at Khayelitsha Youth Centre in Makhaza and was attended by members of the City Masters Football Club.

Sean Hashe, City Masters coach, says the football club started a partnership with PSH to run workshops on leadership and sexual health as part of a team-building exercise.

“The club is collaborating with PSH for the good of the community as both institutions want players to be positive role models,” says Hashe.

Jabulile Mlandu, Operations Administrator and Master Trainer in Life Skills and Capacity Building at PSH, said the workshop was meant to encourage the players to lead positive lifestyles.

CPUT empowered the players by bringing female Peer Educators to stimulate the discussion about Men as Partners.

CPUT HIV/Aids Unit’s acting head, Alex Semba, says the programme, Men as Partners, is aimed at involving men in wellness issues such as Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV and TB.

“We want to involve soccer players in health education,” says Semba.

Babalwa Kepe, a Management student and Peer Educator, initiated the partnership between CPUT, PSH and City Masters as she is also the club’s administrator.

Peer Educator Nomtika Mjwana says the workshop empowered the players to know more about HIV/Aids and their role in leading a health lifestyle.                                                                                                                                                                               

Written by Kwanele Butana
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This year World Aids Day on 1 December will be commemorated with a week-long campaign across two of CPUT’s campuses – Bellville and Cape Town.

This international initiative provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the HIV pandemic, to encourage sexually active individuals to know their status and to commemorate those who have lost their lives as a result of HIV.

Information tables, where both staff and students can be tested not only for HIV, but also other sexually transmitted illnesses as well as TB will be the focal point of the university’s efforts to create awareness around HIV. HIV testing is voluntary and staff and students are encouraged to get tested or simply to come for general health screenings at the information tables.

On Cape Town campus the information table will be on the Piazza from 27 to 28 November, while it will be in the area between the Major Sports Hall and the Admin Building on Bellville campus from 29 November to 1 December.

The theme for this year’s World Aids Day is Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships.

According to Stats SA 12.7% of the country’s total population of 55 million people live with HIV. A further 5.6% of South Africans aged between 15 and 24 has HIV, while 18.9% of adults aged 15-49 years live with HIV. Despite this high prevalence of HIV, HIV activists still have to battle against the stigma surrounding the disease.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of getting tested and knowing your status. The latest development in antiretroviral treatment is that one no longer has to wait for your CD4 count to be below a certain threshold to start treatment. You can start treatment immediately after finding out you are HIV+,” says Unathi Bheme, a final year Education student who bravely disclosed her status in Parliament last year.

Staff and students are also urged to bring donations of sanitary towels to the information tables. By doing this they are automatically entered into a lucky draw and stand the chance to win prizes. The Donate a Pad Project (DAPP) is an initiative by the HIV unit that formally kicks off on Monday, 27 November. This initiative will extend beyond World Aids Day and continue well into 2018. Staff and students can also drop off donations of sanitary towels at the following offices:

• HIV Unit
• Campus Clinic
• Student Counseling
• Department of Student Affairs; and
• Disability Unit

Female students in need of sanitary towels can collect sanitary towels from these same offices.

Written by Abigail Calata

Four design students graduated with Magister Technologiae on 21 April 2008.

They are (front) Nicole Nel – A surface design intervention for adult inmates infected and affected with HIV/AIDS, John Vermeulen – From the grave to the cradle: exploration of hemp as an eco-design material, Katarzyna Rytel – The influence of advertising design in the print media on the self-perception of South Africa and Polish women, (back) Rael Futerman – Inclusive fitness: participatory design approaches for active ageing.

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A three-day HIV counseling and testing campaign targeting male students and their partners is underway at the Cape Town Campus.

The “Bridge The Gap Campaign” is a collaboration between the CPUT HIV/Aids Unit and the Students Christian Organization (SCO) and is in response to the national challenge of how few men know their status.

The campaign also aims to make students curious about HIV and to dispel the myth that they already know enough about the virus.

Additionally the initiative also seeks to encourage Christians to brave the stigma of associating HIV with sleeping around and instead get tested.

The campaign features an information stall, condom distribution and demonstration of their correct use as well as the promotion of the unit’s Abstinence Club.

Nomtika Mjwana, a PR intern with the HIV unit, says that the campaign is borne out of the fact that much more female students get tested than their male counterparts.

“We are trying to stress testing on males because our statistics show that 70% of students who get tested are female and only 30% are male,” she says.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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CPUT’s HIV/AIDS Unit joined thousands across the globe on Monday, 16th May 2011 to remember those who have died of AIDS and support those who are living with the disease. On the 28th anniversary of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, Acting Head of the unit, Alex Semba says, “It was an honour to have such a great show of support from the CPUT community and the learners that we invited to be a part of the memorial in showing compassion and concern for people living with HIV/AIDS.”

“We heard remarks from Derrick Fine, founder of the Openly Positive Trust, Neliswa Nkwali of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Central SRC Secretary Siyabonga Ngozi, and our own Health Promotor Marius Harmsen. We were treated to beautiful songs by the CPUT Choir and their soloist. The event was also a chance for the audience to learn about the HIV/AIDS support services offered on campus,” says Semba.

Openly Positive displayed their newly launched book in which Harmsen’s story, ‘Too lazy to die’ is featured, as part of a collection of short stories titled Whisper Not - 15 Africans speak out on life and love beyond HIV. Another author, professional nurse and mother of four Ann Ray Ray also delivered a powerful personal testimony of living positively.

The book celebrates the lives of ordinary men and women from across Africa, relating their experiences of living with HIV. They say by no longer speaking in whispers about HIV and AIDS, one can live a healthy, full and positive life.

“Even if one couldn't attend the event yesterday, one can still be commemorate the memorial by lighting a candle in your private space in remembrance of those who have died, and in support of those who are living with HIV/AIDS”, says Semba.

More information about the Openly Positive book collection can be obtained from the HIV/AIDS Unit, located on the 2nd Floor, Cape Town campus Admin Building on Tel: 021 460 4253.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

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Surface Design student, Christel Stipp along with Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS recently showcased their range of women’s accessories at an exhibition held in August on the Cape Town campus.

The exhibition was the culmination of Stipp’s Mtech practice-based research project.

Stipp is the first CPUT MTech surface design student to complete a practice-based research project, which consist of a dissertation and a practical. Students usually opt for the dissertation route.

However, Stipp said she was up for a challenge and opted for the creative route.

Her project aimed at equipping the elderly with surface design skills in order to empower them to create an accessory range.

She approached the Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS community group that is based in Khayelitsha.

Stipp started work on the project in 2006 and held various creative and skills- based workshops with the women.

Many of the women were already skilled in crochet and other handwork techniques and were able to incorporate this into Stipp’s project.

“After the workshops we went on to create the accessory range which included handbags, ponchos, scarfs and belts,” said Stipp.

“We worked with a wide variety of materials. This included wools, leather and craft-wire. The majority of materials were sourced from South Africa and Namibia,” she said.

The various accessories will be marketed and the public will be able to place orders. The accessories will be produced by the women who will benefit from the sales.

Mama Gold, one of the members of the group thanked Stipp for the positive impact that the research project had on the grandmothers’ lives. She said they gained valuable skills.

Co-ordinator of the MTech Fashion and Surface Design Programme, Alettia Chisin said: “As an educator I was deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to supervise a project of this nature, which was from the start a co-operative and reciprocal exchange of knowledge and ideas amongst all the participants.”

By Candes Keating

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As part of its monthly seminar program, the HIV/AIDS Unit gave a group of students the opportunity to meet noted author and filmmaker Rayda Jacobs.

Ms Jacobs presented the film Confessions of a Gambler on 10 June 2008 on the Cape Town Campus. Aside from writing the bestseller on which the film was based, she is also the film’s co-director and lead actress.

The film tells the story of Abeeda, a Muslim woman who struggles with her addiction to gambling triggered by her son’s death from AIDS. Ms Jacobs, when answering questions from the students, explained that the film deals with the impact of HIV/AIDS to the uninfected or rather “affected”. The notion is that too often we focus our attention on the infected and neglect the affected. The HIV/AIDS Unit invited her not only to show her movie to students but also to motivate students to use the talents they have to achieve their dreams.

“The HIV/AIDS Unit, although very small, takes pride in educating and empowering CPUT students with regards to HIV/AIDS sometimes by exposing talented people like Rayda to the students,” said Peer Educator Phumelani Mayongo.

Loyiso Malindi from CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit says the movie has changed the way we think about our future as individuals. “The presentation has given people a whole lot of hope and it is not just about helping other people emotionally it is about helping others realise that they can help other people while they are in a process of healing themselves”, he added.

by Zininzi Ntando, Marketing and Communication Department

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From 20 to 24 October 2008, CPUT participated in a Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) survey into the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in institutions of higher education.

With approval from CPUT’s Health Science Faculty Ethics Committee and in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Unit, a research team from Higher Education South Africa (HESA) randomly selected various departments and faculties to participate in the strictly confidential and voluntary survey.

CPUT’s involvement was part of a broader study currently being conducted by HESA at all public higher education institutions in South Africa to establish the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to HIV/AIDS and to measure the HIV infection levels amongst staff and students. In total, 22 universities and 25,000 students and staff will be involved.

The survey’s findings will be vital in providing a better understanding of HIV/AIDS at CPUT and in the higher education sector in the country in general. They will also serve to inform effective responses to the epidemic, including policy, funding, prevention programmes, and care and support services for staff and students. Results will be made available through the media and through HEAIDS once the entire survey is complete in 2009.

“The survey is useful to CPUT because the data will tell us more about attitudes, trends and behaviours and what sort of intervention programmes need to be implemented,” said the HOD of the HIV/AIDS Unit, Mr. Ashraf Mohammed. “More importantly, we will have a baseline not only for CPUT, but for all 22 institutions which can be used to compare and recommend best practices.”

Launched in 2000 and involving the Department of Education, HEAIDS is South Africa’s first nationally-coordinated and large scale response to HIV/AIDS in the higher education sector. Its purpose is “to reduce the threat of the spread of HIV/AIDS in the higher education sector, to mitigate its impact through planning and capacity development and to manage the impact of the pandemic in a way that reflects the ethical, social, knowledge transmission and production responsibilities that are the mission of HEIs in society.”

Similarly, the mission of the HIV/AIDS Unit at CPUT (based on Cape Town Campus) is to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS/STI and TB on staff and students on all five CPUT campuses.

With an acute understanding that young people are particularly vulnerable to the disease, the Unit’s ten staff members provide a variety of interventions and services: workshops on campus and in the broader community; awareness and prevention campaigns; a peer education programme; Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT); care and support for people infected and affected; and innovative research.

By Sarah Burdeniuk, HIV/AIDS Unit

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Professor Ashraf Mohammed, head of the CPUT HIV/Aids Unit was recently awarded by an independent foundation for spearheading programmes which strive towards achieving excellence in the HIV/AIDS programs.

The National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa awarded Mohammed at a gala dinner in honour of people who have excelled in the community and who have attained distinctions in their fields of expertise.

“This award is to me a validation and acknowledgment by an independent community organization of our work, and has further boosted the confidence of my staff as the achievement inspires them,” said an ecstatic Mohammed. 

Since receiving the award, two community organizations have approached the unit seeking collaboration in HIV/Aids programs in their respective communities.

“Furthermore, just recently I was invited as a guest in a community radio interview to discuss our HIV/Aids programs at CPUT and in the community,” he said.

The foundation said in a letter to Mohammed that he was selected because he is a role model in the community and the broader society.

Established in 2000 as an independent community-based and owned trust, the foundation is a charity organization which funds various community development projects.

By Kwanele Butana

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The CPUT HIV/Aids Unit has taken community engagement to another level by assembling a soccer team to play against prisoners at the Malmesbury Correctional Service.

The unit has been running successful community outreach programs at the centre since 2004. Following a request for a friendly soccer match by the inmates, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit, Prof Ashraf Mohammed, facilitated the formation of a team with the view of strengthening the connection between the prison and the Unit.

“At the same time, we innovatively used soccer as a medium to convey to the inmates the message of HIV/Aids/STI and TB,” says Mohammed.

The team comprised of students, Peer Educators as well as CPUT staff from different departments. The event was also used to recruit new Peer Educators for the 2013 academic year.

The match ended in a stalemate as the teams scored a goal apiece in the second half, with the host being the first ones to score. The HIV/Aids Unit’s team later drew level after it was awarded a penalty kick, which was converted successfully by Excy Mgaba much to the delight of the unit’s supporters.

Because of the overwhelming success of the day, Mohammed declared that it would now become an annual event at the prison.

By Kwanele Butana

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South African tertiary institutions took a giant leap forward in the fight against HIV and Aids when they recently launched a national strategic policy framework at a conference held at UCT.

Produced in collaboration with universities by the Higher Education South Africa, the Department of Higher Education and Training as well as Higher Education Aids (HEAIDS), the framework provides a useful guide to universities and FETs in developing an effective response to the HIV/Aids pandemic.

The three-day national conference of Higher Education institutional HIV/Aids programmes was recently held under the theme: Applying the Research/Researching the Applied.

Speakers who addressed the conference included the Professor Anthony Staak, CPUT Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Vice-chancellors of UWC, Stellenbosch and UCT, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana as well as speakers from the national Department of Health, UNAIDS and HEAIDS.

The main highlights of the conference were the unveiling of the new HEAIDS logo and the launch of the Policy and Strategic Framework on HIV/Aids for Higher Education.

The first day of this conference was planned to coincide with the celebration of World AIDS Day, on the eve of which the UNAIDS reported that South Africa increased its rollout of HIV treatment by 75% in the last two years, ensuring 1.7 million people had access.

The World Aids Day/Opening of the Conference was hosted by the CPUT HIV/Aids Unit and its director, Professor Ashraf Mohammed.

The report also indicated that during this period new HIV infections in South Africa had fallen by more than 50 000.

Kwanele Butana

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Everyone has to play their part to stop the HIV/Aids epidemic in South Africa. This was the message of the HIV/Aids activist, Mr Phill Wilson, to staff and students recently at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Mr Wilson is the founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, America. He has been HIV-positive for the past 25 years.

The mission of the Black Aids Institute is to stop the AIDS pandemic in black communities by engaging and mobilising black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV.

“I am still alive because of the love and support of my family and friends and because I have access to the best medical care. Many don’t have that privilege,” Mr Wilson told a packed lecture theatre on the Bellville campus.

Thirty million people have died of Aids worldwide of which the majority is black people. “The only way to stop Aids in black communities is for strong institutions with the capital and the infrastructure to make it happen. Everyone has to do their part. We must encourage each other to be informed. Find out about the facts of Aids and encourage each other to get tested.”

Mr Wilson told students and staff that Aids is not an automatic death sentence. People need to get involved by talking to each other.

“We can all outlive this disease. The one thing that keeps me going is my determination to beat this thing. I continue to take care of myself and refuse to live in shame,” said Mr Wilson.

Mr Wilson also donated a number of HIV/Aids-related books that are available from the Bellville Library. The HIV/Aids Unit also distributed copies of a text book developed by staff members. 2 Be Aids Aware is available to staff members. Contact Mr Peter le Roux at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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The Cape Town campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was host to the opening ceremony of the annual Wellness Celebrations on 31 March 2008.

The Wellness Celebrations are organised by the Student Affairs Department in collaboration with the Student Health Department and the HIV/ AIDS Unit of the institution. The Celebrations are aimed at promoting wellness and well-being to staff and students of the institution and communicating the importance of holistic living.

According to Ms Elizabet Smith (Associate Director: Student Counseling), “CPUT defines wellness in terms of seven dimensions: Physical, Environmental, Intellectual, Spiritual, Social, Occupational and Emotional. Each dimension is interrelated and development of each dimension can promote well-being and health. By embracing a holistic approach to well-being, education can move beyond just knowledge gained from textbooks. By awakening life we can promote healthier living, happier living and a good life.”

Ms Smith continues, “Wellness Day is a colourful and festive event, a celebration of life. Not just any life, but a promotion of a life well lived and a university committed to well-being. A happy, healthy university lends itself for a happy healthy society awake, fully human, and fully alive. This important concept is promoted on an annual basis in different ways on the different CPUT campuses.”

The opening event, which was hosted by KFM DJ, Sam Roy was packed with fun-filled entertainment including comedians, trapeze artists, hip hop dancers, tap dancers Tai Chi experts, and singers.

The Dean of Students, Ms Cora Njoli-Motale, addressed the students about how they should incorporate the wellness concept in their daily lives. She stated, “It’s students who are well-rounded who will become graduates.” Ms Njoli- Motale also requested to students to take a stand and make a pledge on what they want to do to improve their wellness. Students were provided with several colours of paint (each representing one form of wellness dimensions) and were requested to put their pledge on a ‘Pledge- board’.

The Celebrations also included a Wellness Market Day with a variety of stalls and exhibitions. Stalls were filled with a large selection of food, treats and jewellery.

Wellness Celebrations continued on the Bellville campus on Wednesday, 2 April 2008 in the Student Quad. As with the opening event, the Bellville event included an address by Dean of Students Ms Cora Njoli-Motal and a concert hosted by Sam Roy. In addition, wellness brochures were handed out and holistic treatments such as massages were available to staff and students.

The Bellville activities featured a Shavathon hosted by CANSA. The aim for the Shavathan was to raise cancer awareness and to raise funds for CANSA services. It involved the shaving or colouring of hair for a donation of R20- R25.

The atmosphere of the Wellness Celebrations gave an impression that the institution was in great shape. Head of Department: Student Counselling Dr AB De Villers extends a vote of thanks to all who worked very hard to make the Celebrations a success.

By Tyrone Van Heerden and Ruth Chisesa, Marketing and Communication Department

Photograph: Mbasa Boiketlo (3rd year Consumer Science- Food and Nutrition student) and Conway Maluleke (3rd year Marketing student) make a Wellness pledge.

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The official opening ceremony of the new HIV/ AIDS Unit offices of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology took place on Monday the 17th of March, 2008 at the Cape Town campus.

The event, which commenced at the Piazza and then proceeded onto the second floor of the Administration building, was jointly hosted by Phumie Mayongo (Peer Education Officer of the Unit) and Mr Ashraf Mohammed (Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit).

The aim of the ceremony was not only to open the new offices but also to appeal to students to be more aware of the crisis. This was done by marketing the Male Indaba and Female Lekgotla scheduled to take place on Wednesday the 19th of March, 2008 on the Bellville campus.

The aim of the Indaba and Lekgotla is to further market the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Campus Drive which is scheduled for the 25th and 26th of March, 2008 on the Cape Town Campus, the 27th March on Granger Bay Campus and the 9th and 10th of April on the Bellville Campus.

The ceremony was opened by Ashraf Mohammed, the Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit The keynote speaker for the day was Ms Adriana Belafonte (daughter of the famous singer and actor Harry Belafonte). Ms. Cora Njoli-Motale, Dean of Students, addressed the students in the Piazza about incorporating HIV/AIDS into Student Leadership.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) of the institution also took a stand against the national crisis. The Central Chairperson of the SRC, Saziso Matiwane, publicly stated in his address to the students that he would be tested at the forthcoming VCT Campus Drive and would encourage that all SRC members be tested. He motivated all students and staff to do likewise.

Further events of the day included a traditional dance performance by Iqhude, a positive lifestyle talk by Zintle Mobbs and Faghmeda Milleer (who are both based in the HIV/AIDS Unit) who themselves are HIV positive and render care and support to students and staff on campus) This was followed by a request by Ashraf Mohammed for all to remain standing in a minute of silence in memory of those all infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and TB.

A traditional prayer and blessing session was conducted by the by the Imbongi Just outside the new HIV/AIDS Unit offices. This was preceded by a “Guard of Honor” of the HIV/AIDS Student Peer Educators which included nine French students, two Dutch students and several students from various countries in Africa.

A candle-light procession by these Peer Educators also took place. According to Ashraf Mohammed the three lit candles held by each Peer Educator at the procession symbolised the ABC strategy of HIV/AIDS Prevention namely “Abstinence,” “Be faithful,” and “ Condomise.”

Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by Ms Cora Njoli-Motale, an interfaith prayer was conducted by Ms Matiwane Nomabhucwa a Peer Educator (who is also an SRC member).

Students and staff can contact the Peer Education Officer of the HIV/ AIDS Unit, Phumie Mayongo (tel 021 460 4253, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for further information about the VCT drive and future events organized by the unit.

By Tyrone Van Heerden, Marketing and Communication Department

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Piercing forward with its commitment to an HIV-free generation, CPUT recently hosted a very successful HIV/Aids Policy Framework and Monitoring & Evaluation Workshop for universities in the Western Cape at its Bellville campus.

Delegates included those running workplace programmes, human resource departments, campus health services, unions, staff associations and staff members working on HIV curricula.

The event, which was organized by the Higher Education HIV/Aids Programme (HEAIDS), focused on various issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in Higher Education such as the importance of prevention programmes and the need for funding.

Feizel Mamdoo, Higher Education South Afica’s communications manager, presented the HIV/Aids Policy Framework for Higher Education during the workshop.

By Kwanele Butana

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The CPUT HIV/Aids Unit recently held their second Voluntary, Counseling and Testing (VCT) Drive for the year, which attracted hundreds of students.

Ashraf Mohammed, Head of the Unit said the main purpose of the drive is to give students a chance to “just walk in and get tested.”

On entering the testing centres, students were given pre-counseling to put them at ease and had to sign consent forms before being tested.

Thereafter, students waited for approximately 15 minutes before receiving their results in a confidential environment. The students were also given post counseling by trained counselors.

This year’s drive, which took place at the Cape Town and Bellville campuses, proved to be huge success, with hundreds of students and even staff members turning up to be tested.

Mohammed said with the drives, they are trying to reinforce healthy lifestyles in order to prevent risk behavior. “Those that tested negative, we want to keep them negative,” he said.

Mohammed said during the VCT drives they are also promoting the ABC model.

“Abstain, be faithful or condomise,” he said.

The VCT drive is also aimed at ensuring those who do test positive have access to comprehensive support provided by the HIV/Aids Unit and Campus Clinics.

Mohammed said as from next year the VCT drives will also take place on the other campuses situated across Cape Town and in Wellington.

“We are planning to purchase an HIV/Aids mobile unit to cover the other campuses,” he said.

The next VCT drive is scheduled for early next year.

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Staff members and students from the HIV/AIDs Units at CPUT and Rhodes University shared their success stories at a recent workshop.

The agenda on the day placed a special focus on the Workplace Peer Educators Programme.

The successful event took place at the Cape Town campus with members of both HIV/AIDS Units exchanging ideas about the challenges facing their respective units and also offering solutions and suggestions.

Head of the CPUTs HIV/AIDS Unit, Prof Ashraf Mohammed, shared the highlights of the unit’s programmes for 2012 as well as its strategic objectives. Included in his presentation was information on the HIV/AIDS Negative Symposium.

“As much as we look after and care for those who are HIV positive we look after those who are negative as well to ensure that they maintain their HIV negative status,” says Mohammed.

Rhodes University’s Institutional HIV/ AIDS Officer Thandi Mzizi offered great insight into the workings of their Unit. Mzizi pointed out many important factors that are key to the success of their unit and Workplace Peer Education Programme.

A highlight on the day was a motivational speech by Jerome Dreyer, a former CPUT peer educator who has been rehabilitated from his drug addiction. He shared his story of recovery and how he practiced the HIV/AIDS Unit’s message of not sharing needles with his friends. He says this important act of prevention contributed greatly to him still being HIV negative.

By Nurahn Ryklief

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The HIV/AIDS Unit commemorated World AIDS Day 2009 with a number of events including a presentation at Malmesbury Prison on 30 November to coincide with its 2009 Prisoner Peer Education Awards Ceremony, an event with the Community Health Forum of Bellville on 1 December and a presentation to the staff of the Public Protectors Office in Cape Town on 4 December.

The Malmsbury Prison event was hosted in collaboration with the Group of Hope of Prisoners Malmesbury Prison (GOHMA). This project strives to empower inmates who have pledged their support to neighbouring communities in various ways, including the fostering of children living with terminally ill parents.

In addition to its own collection and fundraising campaigns in prison, GOHMA requests local businesses to provide the children with food parcels, school uniforms and books.

There are currently 13 children are under the foster care by GOHMA. A fashion show showcasing the clothes manufactured by the inmates for the fostered children was one of the highlights of the 2009 World AIDS Day event.

Outgoing chairperson of GOHMA Xolisani Galada, said the children were identified through the local schools as well as inmates of Malmesbury Prison.

The CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit is involved in a continuous partnership with GOHMA, known as the Ithemba Project, that includes the training of inmates in sewing, fashion design, art, and ongoing HIV/AIDS/STI and TB Awareness campaigns, as well as capacity building and lifeskills programmes. The Ithemba Project promotes continuity in HIV/AIDS community outreach, as inmates who are released train others, with support from the HIV/AIDS Unit and Malmesbury Prison.

Dr Joyce Nduna, CPUT Director Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning delivered the keynote address during the event. Earlier on, Marius Haren of the HIV/AIDS Unit delivered a talk on life after HIV. The Sinenjongo Choir, a group of inmates at the prison, rendered musical items throughout the event.

Other items on the program included an overview of the HIV/AIDS program at Malmesbury Prison by Dr Ashraf Mohammed, Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit at CPUT, the symbolic lighting of candles and the handing over of Christmas gifts to the children by Haren (dressed in the Father Christmas suit) and by Mark Canning, a representative of the US Embassy who had donated the Christmas gifts.

The event for Bellville Health Forum at the Bellville South Civic Centre was marked by the distribution of information about HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis and speeches from representatives from various community organisations dealing with HIV/AIDS.

Dr Mohammed discussed the progression of HIV infection to AIDS and subsequent death due to opportunistic diseases. Inspector Raymon Solomon of the Social Crime Prevention Unit of the SAPS advised women on what to do should they get raped. He mentioned that the SAPS has improved its service to rape victims so that they can reduce traumatisation by reporting cases immediately.

Zanele Gantsho from Mothers to Mothers said people need to know what to do when they are HIV positive.

She read a message of hope which pleaded: “We ask for your special blessing for all infected and affected by HIV and Aids. Help us to accept and face ignorance, stigma and discrimination associated with this disease. Grant us courage. Fill the hearts of all with compassion and unselfish concern to accept and support, to treat with kindness and love those who are courageously living with HIV/AIDS.”

For more information about CPUT’s World Aids Day 2009 initiatives, visit http://www.cput.ac.za/students/saas/hivaidsunit.

By Thami Nkwanyane

Written by CPUT News
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The campus wide Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) drive has proved to be a huge success, attracting hundreds of CPUT students.

The VCT campus drive, which is driven by the HIV/Aids Unit, has been a bi-annual feature on the CPUT calendar since 2005.

This year’s drive kicked off at Freedom Square Residence at Bellville campus on 9 March and will run up until 20 March.

Head of the HIV/Aids Unit, Dr Ashraf Mohammed said this year they would most likely reach much more students and staff because they have extended the VCT campus drive to additional CPUT sites.

During the past few years the drives were only held at Bellville and Cape Town campuses and occasionally at Granger Bay and Mowbray campuses.

But this year, it was extended to Tygerberg campus, and several student residences in Bellville and Cape Town.

Dr Mohammed said the move to extend the drive to other CPUT sites proved to be a “huge success.”

“We had an overwhelming response at Tygerberg campus,” he said.

At the student residences, the drive attracted large numbers of students who could not manage to get tested at the Bellville or Cape Town campuses.

Dr Mohammed said the main purpose of the VCT campus drive is to give students a chance to “just walk in and get tested.”

“Students prefer to come to the VCT campus drive because it is convenient, quick and they don’t have to make an appointment,” said Dr Mohammed.

Once students walk into the testing centre, they are given pre-counseling to put them at ease and are then required to sign consent forms before being tested.

Thereafter, students wait approximately 20 minutes before receiving their results in a confidential environment. Upon receiving the results, the students are given post counseling by trained counselors.

During this VCT campus drive, students were also given the option to sign a “Safer Sex Pledge” that highlights the Abstain (A), Be faithful (B) and Condomise (C) strategies (ABC).

Dr Mohammed said the VCT drives provide the HIV/Aids unit with an opportunity to reinforce healthy lifestyles among students in order to prevent risky behavior that could make them vulnerable to be infected with HIV.

“Our aim for those that test negative, is to keep them negative,” he said.

The VCT campus drive is also aimed at ensuring that those who do test positive have access to the care and support services offered by the unit’s Health Promoters and clinical support from the CPUT campus clinics.

Dr Mohammed said the VCT campus drive “compliments” the routine VCT service, which is offered at campus clinics (on both Cape Town and Bellville campuses only) throughout the academic year.

The next campus-wide VCT drive is scheduled for the second semester.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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