World AIDS Day

Red Lace Race 2019

Red Lace Race 2019

TB HIV Care’s inaugural ‘Red Lace Race’ took place in Khayelitsha on Saturday, 01 December last year to mark World AIDS Day 2018.

The event saw a relatively small turn-out, but ran smoothly (with wonderful support from the City of Cape Town) and great fun was had by all.

TB HIV Care has big plans for the Red Lace Race and the organisation is now working closely with staff, stakeholders and community groups (incl. the Khayelitsha Athletics Club and the City of Cape Town) to plan the Red Lace Race for 2019.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, 30 November. Watch this space!

World AIDS Day Event: Khayelitsha

World AIDS Day Event: Khayelitsha

TB HIV Care joined The City of Cape Town, the Department of Health and a group of Khayelitsha NGOs (including MSF, SWEAT, Grassroot Soccer, Desmond Tutu) in Khayelitsha on Friday, 30 November for a World AIDS Day event at the Solomon Mahlangu Hall.

The national theme for World AIDS Day is Cheka Impilo, Know Your Status. The event celebrated health, wellness, community and positive choices while encouraging residents to #KnowYourStatus under the Department of Health’s ‘Cheka Impilo’ and ‘SheConquers’ campaigns.

There was an amazing atmosphere at the Hall (due in part to fantastic performers and speakers) and highlights included:

  • A march from MSF’s offices at the Isivivana Centre in Khayelitsha to Solomon Mahlangu Hall – led by a drum majorette group
  • A jazz performance from The Institute for Music and Indigenous Arts Development (IMAD) learners – who were brilliant
  • Music, dance and other performances – including Zip Zap Circus
  • 5-a-side soccer tournament

Many thanks to our HTS teams who provided free testing, screening and other health checks on the day. And a massive thank you to Ndumi Mtshiselwa (PP Prev Coordinator) who proved to be the perfect MC!

Special mention to Michelle Carey (Deputy Communications Manager) who worked so hard to make this event happen.

World AIDS Day: Provincial Launch in Uitenhage

World AIDS Day: Provincial Launch in Uitenhage

The provincial launch of World AIDS Day 2018 took place in Uitenhage on Wednesday, 07 November.

The event was divided into three parts:

  • A political briefing from 08h00 – 09h30
  • Formal proceedings
  • A taxi rank activation

The formal proceedings took place just in front of the Municipal Town Hall. The Executive Mayor of the Metro, Councillor Bobani,  welcomed everyone to the event, before Ms Helen Sauls-August (Eastern Cape MEC for Health) outlined the purpose of the day. The main speaker was the Acting Premier, MEC Dr Dyantyi. He encouraged the outreach teams to go out and conduct HIV and TB testing. There were more than 300 testers present – all proudly wearing their branded T-shirts and caps.

It was a beautiful display of support from TB HIV Care, and we were acknowledged for the massive support that we gave to both the launch and the WAD outreach activities.

The taxi rank activation took place at the Uitenhage Main Taxi Rank, and this was followed by a visit to Hollywood where door-to-door visits were done (the focus was on community testing).  Lastly, we visited a clinic in Despatch, where the Acting Premier and other dignitaries met with clinic staff to listen to how they will accept all clients who have interrupted their treatment back into care. There was also an opportunity for members of the community to raise their own concerns and challenges about the clinic.

Mr Dayile from ECAC (who was MC on the day), made special mention of TB HIV Care – for all support that we have rendered to the programme,

Thank you!