Kwatsaduza encourage youth to know their HIV status
The United Nations Development Programme estimated that approximately 50 young people in South Africa are infected with HIV every hour.
Duduza – On December 1, at the onset of the 30th anniversary of World Aids Day, Skylight internet café in Duduza held a live band event to raise awareness on the importance of knowing one’s HIV status.
Reverend Mali Mashinini, the owner of the internet cafe, stressed the importance of regular testing and safe sex. According to UNAIDS, “South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 19% of the global number of people living with HIV, 15% of new infections and 11% of Aids-related deaths,”
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The Right to Care, an HIV/Aids-based organisation, states that a large portion of new infections are among the youth in the age group of 15 to 24. The United Nations Development Programme estimated that approximately 50 young people in South Africa are infected with HIV every hour.
A lack of knowledge on the virus, and an attitude of invincibility, are cited as some of the reasons for the rampant spread of the virus among the youth. This poses a threat to the life of the infected person as they risk getting reinfected, infecting others as they are not on treatment
According to Mashinini, this is the reason they took it upon themselves to create awareness – especially among the youth – about the importance of testing. “The youth is greatly affected by HIV and require mentorship and guidance” said Mashinini.
The event, held as the country is in the middle of the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, also encouraged survivors of abuse to speak out and report abuse.
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Skyline, which believes in youth development, supports youth programmes in various career choices. This is seen in the free tertiary application service available to Grade 12 learners, and free computer and internet access to Unisa students from Kwatsaduza. In addition to this, local youth who are poets, musicians and DJs, were given an opportunity to perform at the event. The internet cafe also offers a three-month internship to computer students with a monthly stipend of R2 000. .
