A message of hope and remembrance will be the theme at Unisa’s special commemoration of the 25th International Aids Candlelight Memorial.
Date: 16 May
Venue: ZK Matthews Hall, Unisa Main Campus, Senate Hall, 2nd level, Theo van Wijk Building
Time: 10:00 -12:00
The theme will be highlighted by a motivational talk by Criselda Kananda, a high profile Aids activist. Diagnosed HIV positive 10 years ago, Ms Cananda has since lived a healthy, symptom free and positive life.
She has been actively involved in the fight for the rights of both the HIV infected and HIV negative people. This has compelled her to study immunity and AIDS progression, investigated the research available regarding Nutrition, Behavior and HIV and AIDS in her own personal life.
Ms Cananda has also studied towards Psycho-Neuro immunology, Health and Positive Living, MDP with the Gordon institute of SA, Project Management, Direct Marketing, Business Communication, amongst many. She left her very successful career in sales and marketing, at the time she was heading a direct marketing business unit for SA Post Office, to advocate for wellness. She has been invited as a speaker and presented papers at many conferences and meetings amongst many was a meeting of the SADEC Health Ministers on wellness. She started a radio talk show called Positive Talk in 2003 on KAYA-FM focusing on how HIV and AIDS impacts on health, wellness, socio economic imbalances.
She produced and hosted the talk show every Monday evening 19:30 to 21:00 and has been featured on several newspapers, magazines including Oprah Winfrey’s O magazine and television programs locally and abroad. She now co-produces and hosts an even better and bigger show focusing on healthy body, mind and spirit on METRO-FM every Wednesday and Thursday evening 19:00 to 21:00 targeting 5.2 million listeners. She has also recorded an 8 track Positive Talk CD and wrote a Booklet focusing on holistic wellness, has a website www.positivetalkservices.co.za which educates and gives people access to basic information about wellness and provides a platform of sharing of life challenges and successes without being judged.
Some of the occasions where she was invited to address the masses include the Launch of former President Nelson Mandela’s call for the traditional leaders to act in the fight against the pandemic. As a champion for the launch of the Mr Mandela’s 46664 fund raising campaign. Former President Mandela referred to Criselda as a role model for Africa and the light for the world to see. Mrs Zanele Mbeki, first lady of South Africa said in her speech, launching The young South African Woman in Dialogue: “Criselda is the hope that the World has been looking for.” During the launch of Men fighting against HIV and AIDS Minister Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimanga said Criselda is an Eye Opener and this is to name a few. She has addressed many woman groups including South African Woman in Dialogue (SAWID) and Young SAWID, Executive Reserve Club, Sowetan Women's Club, DENOSA-nurses union, Black Management Forum, The Oprah Magazine’s national Find your Balance Workshops.
Ms Kananda has served as a Member of the Board of Trustees at the National AIDS Councill (SANEC) 2005-2006. She is also a strategic advisor for Khomanani, government comprehensive communication plan 2003- to date. In 2006 she represented South Africa in New York during the United Nations General Assembly Special Meeting on communicable diseases, commissioned by Mr Kofi Anan. She received an award from the First Lady Mrs Zanele Mbeki for her contribution towards the upliftment of young women in South Africa as an ambassador for the Young South African Women in Dialogue. She also received City Press/ Rapport prestigious award as one of ten most influential South African Women. She traveled with Metro-fm to 18 countries around the continent, introducing the concept of using Radio as an effective medium in curbing diseases through education. She represented South Africa in London on a task team selected by the Mellinda and Bill Gates Foundation to establish a Global Wellness Communication Strategy.
Contact details: Ms Vicky Malefo Manager: HIV/Aids Division, Employee Relations and Wellness Directorate
Tel: 011 471-2034, vmalefo@unisa.ac.za cell 083 273 4264 Or Mr Gilbert Mamorobela (012) 352-4138 or mamormg@unisa.ac.za.
