The City of Cape Town observed World Aids Day on 1 December by hosting numerous events, including outreach programmes and a commemorative march in Grassy Park.

The first of these programmes was the GET TESTED campaign, which offered HIV free testing and counselling at the following shopping centres: Shoprite Centre, Somerset West; Broadlands Square, Strand; Nyanga taxi rank; Zolani Centre and Mandela Square, Atlantis.

The HIV test is done by pricking the finger to obtain a blood sample and results are available within 15 minutes.

“Testing is the first step to accessing life-saving care. HIV is no longer a death sentence. It can be managed as a chronic disease," said Dr Ivan Bromfield, Executive Director: City Health.

The test aims to prevent transmission of the disease by getting people to know their HIV status. If it’s positive, they’ll be able to prevent themselves from unknowingly spreading the virus. If it’s negative, they’ll know what steps to take to prevent catching it.

There was also HIV testing and a drama event at the Thusong Centre in Khayelitsha.
The Grassy Park march started in Klip Road at 09:00 and proceeded to Rooikrans Sports Field, where a youth-focused ceremony was held at 10:30. The junior mayor opened the event.

About 500 learners from schools in the area were invited, and marched with banners and placards, said Ann Albrecht, the sub-district multi-sectoral action team co-ordinator.

City of Cape Town staffers wore “a touch of red” as a symbolic gesture in support of people infected and affected by HIV and Aids. Other events in the city included a service at St George’s Cathedral  and the 4th annual World Aids Day Gala Concert at Artscape Theatre in the evening.

The City’s Health Department has planned a staged event with music at the Company’s Garden in the centre of Cape Town on 3 December.

UNAids estimates that in 2007 there were at least 5.7 million South Africans living with HIV; 350 000 deaths due to HIV and Aids, and an estimated 1.4 million orphans.

The World Health Organisation’s figures show there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV worldwide, an estimated 2.5 million of whom are newly infected, while 2.1 million people died of Aids last year.

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for almost one third of all news infections and Aids deaths globally.

Anyone wishing to have an HIV and Aids test and counselling can do so free of charge at the City’s community health centres and clinics, but it may be necessary to make a booking beforehand.