#WORLDAIDSDAY2020
On this day, the 1st of December all countries all over the globe every year get together to commemorate World Aids Day. This initiative was started in order to create awareness amongst the people about how serious AIDS, destroying the stigma surrounding AIDS and also educating people about new methods that are there to help reduce the number of infections. In an event hosted by the eThekwini Municipality at Inanda, Amaoti Hall ward 53 earlier today, the Mayor of eThekwini Mr. Kaunda who was amongst the guest speakers of the day accompanied with the MEC of Education Mr. Mshengu said that it is time to flatten the curve of this deadly virus. “If people are educated more about this virus, we’ll see a lesser number of infections in our country as whole. That’s why we use such platforms to educate the public to always use protection and do daily checkups”. Before the event started, a candle was to be lit to remember those who lost their fighting this virus, the likes of Nkosi, Gugu Dlamini to name a few.
Under the theme of the year “We’re in this together, Cheka impilo” the people of the whole of KZN are encouraged to stand together with the people who are HIV positive, support them in every way and also to mourn the dead who were killed by this virus. To better make the people understand about the purpose of the day, a youth group called D.R.E.A.M Initiative did a role play to educate the community of Inanda about the virus. In their role play they covered all the basics a person needs to know in order to be safe from contracting HIV/AIDS.
They explained how the virus spreads from one individual to another and also a pill called prep which decreases the chances of contracting AIDS if you have unprotected sex. The Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Professor Magula, drafted the “90–90–90” initiative to fast track cities across South Africa. “Our aim is to have no death caused by AIDS by the year 2030”. This initiative was approved by the Mayor of eThekwini claiming it would be of benefit to the citizens of South Africa.
