KRUGER NEWS
2021 KNP HIV/AIDS commemoration By Khensile Moriri
Ms Shikwambana (BSP) delivering the purpose of the day
Self-screening for attendees
Every year in December the KNP, just like all communities and organisations, commemorates World AIDS Day. This year the Wellness Office in partnership with Biodiversity Social Projects (BSP) hosted the World AIDS Day on Friday, 3 December 2021 at the Skukuza Soccer Field. The theme for this year’s commemoration was “End inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics”. The success of this event depends on everybody’s contribution and participation in supporting the brothers and sisters who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. The event also provided staff members with important information which can be shared with their families, friends, and colleagues as well as in their communities. The initiative also aims to ensure that the rights of people living with HIV/ AIDS are not violated, and that discrimination on the basis of HIV/AIDS is reduced, and ultimately eliminated. Ms Shikwambana from BSP highlighted the purpose of the day, “We are gathered today to commemorate those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS: to gain more information of how to
break the stigma around AIDS globally. We’re also here to remember those who were positive and died due to this condition. The lack of information can lead to negativity as a result of the spread of HIV/AIDS. We will remain restless in our mission to ensure that we turn the stigma around HIV/AIDS into notable achievements.” A self-testing station was erected for interested employees to screen for HIV/AIDS. The BSP team also graced attendees with a role play to demonstrate and highlight challenges, beliefs, and to inform staff of HIV/AIDS and break the chains and stigma associated with the condition. “HIV/AIDS is a lifetime condition that an individual needs to accept. Therefore, it is important to direct our focus on it. We do have medication to treat HIV, however it is also important to ensure that you protect yourself or abstain. Let us love each other by protecting one another from constraining conditions and curb the spread. It starts now, today and here,” concluded the Wellness Manager of KNP, Mr Sherlock Shabangu.
conserving nature since 1926
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