KRUGER NEWS

2021 KNP HIV/AIDS commemoration

By Khensile Moriri

Ms Shikwambana (BSP) delivering the purpose of the day

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

Self-screening for attendees

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.

KNP campaigns against gender-based violence on 16 Days of Activism

By Khensile Moriri

The Acting General Manager of Skukuza Safari Lodge, Nhlanhla Themba extends gratitude to employees for honoring the invite

As the world continues to grapple with gender-based violence, this year also marks a significant 22 years since South Africa embarked on the 16 Days of Activism campaign for no violence against women and children. The Kruger National Park (KNP) Wellness Office together with Biodiversity and Social Projects (BSP) also joined forces on Monday, 6 December 2021, to challenge violence against women and children, raising awareness on gender inequality and also call an end against gender-based violence (GBV).

Giving the purpose of the day Mr Sherlock Shabangu, the Wellness Manager of KNP outlined the importance of the movement, “By law, as human beings, we should campaign against GBV not only in the months of November and December but in our everyday lives. Women and children are being abused daily. Statistics display that 72% of women are being abused. The worst thing, where GBV transpires, more especially in the workplace, its women against women. It might be that some people in attendance are here for a social event but. I know that there are some of you who relate and are here to gain more knowledge on how to overcome the situation and put an end to it. There are so many ways of getting help on issues related to abuse. We have invited guest speakers to come and inform, educate and enlighten you on the means of breaking the silence of GBV. Those who are in need of urgent intervention should contact Persons Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) on 076 694 5911.”

The BSP team demonstrated the different types of abuse which occurs in different households through a mini role-play. “The nature of South African Police Services (SAPS) is to assist members of the public to fight and report crime. Domestic violence “abuse” is also categorised as crime. When the complainant decides to report the abuse itself, they may do so at any nearest police station where the abuser resides, where the victim resides or where the abuse took place. The SAPS must assist the complainant to complete the forms and

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