Various local government departments, NGOs and local schools marched from Grahamstown Primary to the Cathedral to commemorate victims of HIV/Aids on Friday.
Various local government departments, NGOs and local schools marched from Grahamstown Primary to the Cathedral to commemorate victims of HIV/Aids on Friday.
World Aids Day was established by the World Health Organisation and is observed every year on 1 December to raise awareness about the pandemic.
Members of different organisations who were attired in red, white and blue t-shirts, sang motivational songs while encouraging people to fight against the stigma associated with the virus. Little children stood in the aisle, holding red and white balloons and waiting for dignitaries to take their seats while outside the Cathedral, the Gadra Marimba Band performed.
Two testing stations, courtesy of Raphael Centre, were also available to give people an opportunity to undergo test and know their status.
The CM Vellem Primary School and local gospel group from Peace of Christ ministries also provided some musical entertainment. During the programme tourists from Holland who were passing by joined in to observe the occasion in South African style. Makana Mayor Vumile Lwana adressed the crowd and emphasised that people should be encouraged to know their HIV status.
"We should undertake to focus more on getting our people tested," he said. While stating the purpose of the day, Councillor Thuleka Ngeleza said "It’s to commemorate heroes who have fallen because of the disease." She also said events like these increase people’s awareness and helps to reduce the impact of HIV/Aids. "We all need to work together and each one of us needs to be responsible and fight against this disease," she said. During the programme songs of struggle echoed throughout the Cathedral.
Also offering his support during the event was Bishop Khanya Mcekana. He said the fact that a cure is yet to be found causes great anxiety and pain. "It can make us all think that we are fighting a losing battle,” he said, before adding that we must not remain ignorant about the facts.
The link between domestic violence and HIV/Aids was also highlighted. Henry Dingaan from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development explained that there are various forms of abuse including physical, verbal and financial. He also said "our doors are wide open to those who need assistance from us."
Guest speaker Margaret Keeton who is involved with raising funds with various local orgasnisations said that "this is our opportunity to demonstrate real humanity while we are fighting against the disease". She added that "we have wasted time and money talking about what caused the disease instead of finding ways to deal with it." After the speeches, red and white balloons were released into the air to symbolise that HIV/Aids must be stopped.
