World AIDS Day - Dec 2011

The “fight of the people” was brought to our attention at the annual St George’s Cathedral World AIDS Day service. With the slogan “Be there!” the service placed emphasis on the communal effort needed throughout society to get HIV related numbers down to zero. With the purpose of raising awareness, messages of knowledge, positive influence and proactive living were conveyed to audience members.

The programme combined doses of laughter, dramatics and joyous musical items.  An educational community theatre piece by the Africa Centre for HIV/ AIDS Management of Stellenbosch University entitled “Lucky the hero” warmed audience members up to dealing with the topical content surrounding HIV awareness. After the play a human chain was formed in solidarity outside the St George’s Cathedral with a collection of school children, passing tourists and those attending the service. Choirs from St Paul’s and St Mary Magdalene added musical offerings to the service.

These elements, however, came together with the direct and inspiring words brought forward by youth ambassador and speaker from the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Fezeka Nomwehle.

Aged 20, Nomwehle emphasised the necessity of developing the “African dream” among the present and emerging youth as a way of encouraging conversation about the topics of sex, rape and relationships, which in turn would lead to conversation pertaining HIV. A particular focus for the youth speaker was blurred identities. The social circumstances into which they are born affect the prospects and perspectives of the youth. Some young people, particularly those from poorer communities, have a flawed perspective (on HIV). An empowered mind and open relationship relation between families on taboo subjects was Nomwehle’s wish for the service.

Upon interview, Nomwehle shared her efforts in creating open communication with her family and admits it has been a struggle that she is not willing to give up on. As the oldest of four siblings, “I have faced challenges much greater than myself,’ said the speaker, highlighting  the ability of the human spirit  to overcome difficulties and thus inspire others.

Throughout the WAD proceedings it was made evident that the sense of comfort that many society members have with the HIV pandemic has allowed for people to become complacent and less active in the support and advocacy needed by those affected. Encouragement towards open communication and making commitments to ‘be there’ for those who lack support concluded the service, and proved the 2011 World AIDS Day event a successful and meaningful platform for HIV awareness.

Noxolo Mafu