Unisa online - Unisa Institutional First Things First HIV in Mpumalanga

‘Know your status’ is the message that Sister Thabisile Thwala and Vicky Malefo are driving through the campaign

We can never talk enough about HIV/AIDS and the consequences it presents to individuals, communities and the nation at large. According to USAID, in 2009 33.3 million people around the world were living with HIV/AIDS.

First Things First (FTF) aims to help South African tertiary students in particular to fulfil their destinies by encouraging them to be responsible, get tested for HIV and empower themselves by knowing their status and committing to behaviour that will protect them and their peers as well as to increase access to HIV counselling and testing (HCT) for staff and students at institutions of higher learning.

Mpumalanga Sub-region was the first region to host the FTF- HCT event on 24 April 2012 in support of the Unisa Institutional FTF- HCT campaign, which was recently launched at the Muckleneuk Campus. A national HIV Counselling and Testing campaign was also launched by President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe in April 2010.

The guest speaker, an activist and artist, Ms Tender Mavundla, highlighted the plight of young people not knowing their status. Her aim is to sensitise everyone, young and old, to get tested and get treatment and help if needed.

Ms Thabisile Thwala, Nursing Sister from Muckleneuk Campus highlighted that Mpumalanga has the second highest number of HIV infections in the country and she urged the Mpumalanga community to see these statistics as a challenge and to fight and prevent more infections. The day was filled with lots of information sharing, motivation and fun activities including a health exercise lesson offered by Virgin Active team members. A total of 26 students took HIV tests.