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HIV did not stop him from having two children with his HIV negative partner, who remained HIV negative after having children with Pholokgolo Ramothwala, AIDS Consortium’s October Hero. “If you look after yourself and look after your partner, you won’t have to have two HIV infections in your home” says Pholo, Managing Director of PCS Media who has been living with HIV for more than 11 years. Click here to learn more... To download the press release, click here.

Re-igniting the passion of Human Rights in the era of HIV
19 June 2009

Today, as The AIDS Consortium re-launch the HIV and AIDS Charter, many people living with HIV continue to have their rights violated by those that love them, strangers, healthcare workers, work place colleagues, communities and their families – hence the necessity of reaffirming a 17 year old document. Almost three decades into the epidemic, stigma (internal and external) remains a deterrent to accessing HIV testing, treatment and a positive lifestyle and inhibits the attainment of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV and AIDS 2007 -2011 goals.

To deliver an address on this prestigious document is Justice Edwin Cameron, Constitutional Court Judge, founder and patron of The AIDS Consortium, who was also one of the three lawyers who drafted the initial document. Mark Heywood, in his capacity as the Deputy Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and a Government official from the Department of Health have been invited to deliver a message of endorsement for this document. As part of the proceedings, The AIDS Consortium will also share, through a video, public’s opinion around the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.

The Charter follows the Freedom Charter of South Africa, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and was a forerunner to the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa 1996. It continues to complement these and other policy frameworks, such as The National Health Act and The National Strategic Plan, and acts as a guide for other international Charters.

“This re-launch is the beginning of a process of engagement, where The AIDS Consortium calls for further interrogation and discussions on stigma and discrimination as one of the root deterrents to positive living. This document will hopefully one day become invalid as all people will be upholding the rights of people living with HIV” says Denise Hunt, Executive Director of The AIDS Consortium.

The AIDS Consortium calls on every South African to take this opportunity to re-ignite the passion of activism by interacting with this document and taking ownership for its implementation.

To download the AC CHARTER as a PDF document, click here...

Our latest annual report has been published and is not available for download as a PDF file. To obtain an electronic copy, click here...

The AC has recently been capturing the interviews of our monthly HEROES on video. To see or download these videos, please visit our new VIDEO page by clicking here...

Heroes Campaign 2009

Pholokgolo Ramothwala
AIDS HERO - October 2009

This month, The AIDS Consortium are encouraging and acknowledging male involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS by partnering with male focused campaigns such as “brothers for life, men as partners and one man can”. In his interaction with more than 120 organisational representatives at the Gauteng bua@AC, Pholo encouraged both men and women to look after themselves so as to have healthy children who don’t have HIV – “I met someone and had two children – all of this happened within HIV” and he further explained the process of artificial insemination which he says is what he owes his healthy family to.

In sharing his journey, Pholo shared his views around the ‘barriers’ that prevent men (particularly prominent, black heterosexual) from disclosing their status, which he said include pride (people think they will lose their dignity if they disclose) and culture (which puts pressure on men to be the provider and be strong), however, he strongly believes that all men prominent or not, need a safe space where they can talk about their situations and how to deal with them – this is what motivated Pholo to start an on-line diary (www.pholocom.co.za) which reflects his daily experiences. This was also motivation for him to start his own business (PCS Media) which renders HIV and AIDS media services to corporate and other companies.

On 13 October, The AIDS Consortium will be further discussing this topic at their provincial bua@AC in North West and Limpopo. Click here to learn more...

To view profiles on our previous monthly, please visit our HEROES page by clicking here...

VIDEOS:
TO VIEW ONLINE VIDEOS OF OUR HEROES, CLICK HERE!

About the HEROES Campaign

The “Heroes campaign” is an AIDS Consortium initiative responding to this negative perception of classifying HIV and AIDS as an outcome of sexual excess and low moral character. This perception discourages disclosure and fuels stigma and discrimination.

This campaign aims to eradicate stigma and discrimination on the basis of one’s HIV status by encouraging discussion and disclosure. Through sharing their personal journeys, prominent people living openly with HIV are the chosen custodians of this campaign. Through a poster and a video clip, the ‘hero’ is profiled and shares his/her journey in dealing with the outcome of their disclosure. This is meant to open channels of communication and encourage discussions around stigma and discrimination. This campaign is a call to prominent people to ‘come out’ and normalise HIV.

18 May 2009 :: CELEBRATING PARTNERSHIPS – AC LAUNCH OFFICES IN LIMPOPO

Only two months after launching an office in the North West, The AC is at it again, but this time, in Limpopo. On Monday, 11 May, The AIDS Consortium (national network of over 1000 HIV and AIDS organisations), opened their doors to over 35 selected delegates who came to witness the launch of their new offices in Limpopo. The office is situated in Polokwane - 41 Hans van Rensburg Street, Rampies Building, Office no.4. Different stakeholders honoured the invitation, amongst them was government (Department of Labour), Corporate (Anglo Platinum), Community/Civil Society partners (loveLife, New Start, TAC etc), media and other sectors.

The expansion of The AC into Limpopo is made possible by Irish Aid, a funding partner in the province. “We support this initiative and will continue supporting such initiatives in the province” said Ms. Tamara Mathebula, the HIV & AIDS Programme Advisor from Irish Aid. The AIDS Consortium’s implementing partners in the province are Choice Trust and the AIDS Foundation of South Africa. Fiona Macdonald, Executive Trustee of Choice Trust used the analogy of marriage for this partnership “there will be good times and challenging times, but we want to hold the learnings and knowledge gained to be able to enhance good practices of civil society”.

Delegates were taken through the office which boasts an Information Centre consisting of a Cyber Cafe, a mini HIV and AIDS library and distribution centre. This office is now fully operational and is open from 08h00 till 16h30.

“This is indeed a celebration of partnerships and we really look forward to working together with all of you. The commitment shown by our partners is remarkable!” said Denise Hunt, Executive Director of The AIDS Consortium.

The AIDS Consortium (national network of over 1000 HIV and AIDS organisations), yesterday opened their doors to over 30 selected delegates who came to witness the launch of their new offices in Rustenburg (Cnr. Boom & Pretorius – Old Mutual Building).

The launch took place following a vigorous debate hosted and facilitated by The AIDS Consortium (AC) at the Rustenburg Old Town Hall, as part of their monthly bua@AC (HIV and AIDS networking and information forum). Over 140 delegates attended the bua and were told about the launch, but could not all attend the launch due to the AC’s office capacity.

This launch was made possible by support from Oxfam America (one of The AC’s funding partners). “We see this partnership as an extension of the services that Oxfam America is providing to the North West, Rustenburg community” said an excited Mr. Ian Mashingaidze, Oxfam’s Regional Director before cutting the ribbon, thus formally launching the Rustenburg based AC office.

Delegates were taken through the office which boasts an Information Centre consisting of a Cyber Cafe, a mini HIV and AIDS library and distribution centre.

This office is now fully operational and is open from 08h30 till 17h00.

“The AC is excited and ready to serve this community” said Denise Hunt, Executive Director of The AIDS Consortium.

The Aids Consortium Monthly Themes
The dates for 2009 have been updated!

BUA@AC has reached out to more than 2500 people across three provinces (Limpopo, North West, and Gauteng)

GP bua@AC will now be held on the first Tuesday of each month – please note venue has changed to: AC office, 41 De Korte Street, 7th Floor, Sable Centre, Braamfontein

"bua" is a Sotho word meaning “talk”; it was commonly used at activists’ meetings in the apartheid struggle. When one was making a valid point and the supporters wanted to support his/her statement, they would just say “bua”, which encouraged freedom of expression. These sessions also encouraged networking, comradeship and skills transfer. This epitomises the AC monthly meetings, hence – bua@AC.

The AIDS Consortium bua sessions stand out as a pioneering initiative, bringing together over 400 (throughout three provinces) HIV and AIDS and human rights activists monthly to discuss topical issues, hence a different theme each month. These have taken place for 17 years and are thus renowned in the sector.

The forum encourages networking, skills transfer, debates and discussions that challenge the myths, beliefs and behaviours that continue to drive incidence, human rights violations and stigma and discrimination. Well renowned in the HIV and AIDS sector, the forum is largely aimed at NGOs, FBOs, CBOs and activists in the HIV and AIDS field, but does not exclude any interested community members.