Over 200 000 students at technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges have been tested for HIV and Aids since 2013.

This is according to Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana who paid a visit to the False Bay TVET College in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape on Wednesday to activate the First Things First Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS (HEAIDS) Programme.

The HEAIDS programme was initially launched at universities in 2000 to contribute to the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS 2012-2016 which seeks to eradicate the HIV and Aids scourge among students.

The programme was extended to TVET colleges in 2013 because, the Deputy Minister said, the people who are affected by socio-economic conditions are those in TVET colleges, especially those in rural areas.

He said the introduction of the programme to TVET colleges had been a worthwhile intervention.

“I am happy that ever since we launched this programme in TVET colleges in 2013, we have made significant progress. We are nearing the end of 2015 and we have reached out to all the campuses and overall we have tested over 200 000 people.

“What it means is that even those that tested positive know now what they need to do to live longer,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said the programme was designed to offer support to those that test positive through treatment. It further provides a health advisory service that includes counselling and Tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening.

“This has been a worthwhile exercise. It is a major intervention led by government and the private sector. Having tested more than 200 000 students, I think we have made tremendous strides in … protecting our young people from perishing like flies,” he said.

Ahead of the Deputy Minister’s visit, students made use of the health screening facilities that were set up as part of the HEAIDS programme.

Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia, the director of the HEAIDS programme, said approximately 300 students tested for HIV and were screened for STIs.

The activation of the HEAIDS programme at the False Bay TVET College marked the seventh campus visit across seven provinces by the Deputy Minister. Of the over 200 000 that were tested since 2013, some 130 000 were tested in 2015 alone, while 97 000 TVET students were tested last year.

“The Deputy Minister chooses rural areas or campuses in informal settlements – areas where we have a challenge of HIV,” he said.

He said a person who is tested for HIV and found to be positive stands the chance of living longer by being treated and managing other illnesses.

“The First Things First Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS (HEAIDS) Programme is an award-winning programme. It was awarded as the number one programme in 2011 for two consecutive years,” he said.

False Bay TVET College Principal Cassie Kruger said his campus had been active in encouraging students to participate in volunteer HIV testing campaigns and screening for other diseases as it is located in a community that is vulnerable to the pandemic.

“Sadly, on a regular basis, not only students but also staff have passed away because of [HIV and Aids]. We have also experienced sad events where students come to college and to find out that they are now on their own because their parents have passed away,” he said.

He said TVET colleges can assist in the fight against HIV and Aids by ensuring there is a culture of regular testing. – SAnews.gov.za

Pretoria – Companies that excel in advancing transformation by implementing affirmative action to redress the disadvantages in employment will be rewarded at the inaugural Employment Equity Awards tomorrow.

This is the first time in South Africa that awards aimed at recognising employers who further the purpose of the Employment Equity Act will be bestowed.

The awards, held by the Department of Labour and the Commission for Employment Equity, are scheduled to take place at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. Deputy Minister of Labour Phathekile Holomisa is expected to deliver a keynote address.

The awards also intend to reward companies that promote equal opportunity, diversity and fair treatment in employment and the elimination of unfair discrimination and those that ensure suitably qualified people from designated groups have equal employment opportunities and have equitable representation in all occupational levels in the workplace, said the department.

The awards will recognise organisations from both the public and private sector. – SAnews.gov.za

Paul Johnston’s readable ebook, Why Kafka is not Kafkaesque, offers an interesting and fun introduction to the mysterious world of Franz Kafka. New ebook on Kafka explores Different Dimensions of the Kafkaesque It starts with an account of Kafka’s most famous short story, Metamorphosis, but also discusses his two novels (The Trial; The Castle) and […]

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New York – South Africa has endorsed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with a set of bold new Global Goals, President Jacob Zuma told world leaders at the 70th session of the United Nation’s General Assembly in New York, on Sunday. “South Africa endorses this transformative post 2015 Development Agenda without any reservations. [...]
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Birmingham, England - South Africa captain Jean de Villiers retired from international rugby on Sunday after being ruled out of the World Cup due to a broken jaw as his tournament jinx returned to haunt him.

It was the second such injury suffered in the last two months by the 34-year-old centre, who made a miraculous recovery to get fit for the World Cup, only to fracture the right side of his jaw late in Saturday's 46-6 win over Samoa at Villa Park.

“When I got injured yesterday and I left the field, I knew that I had played my last test for South Africa,” De Villiers told reporters.

“Injuries are part of rugby and I've had my fair share, so by now I know how to cope with them. It's very sad, but life goes on - I need to take it all in and move forward.

“I was quite sad when I came off the field as I knew I won't get the opportunity to play for my country again. Having played for South Africa for 13 years, I've been fortunate to experience so many great things and I got to know so many good friends, but you never think it would end like this,” he said.

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer paid tribute to the courage of his former captain.

“The way in which he never gave up fighting to overcome his last serious knee injury reminded me again how much of a warrior he is and how highly he regarded the Springbok jersey,” Meyer said.

“He will go down as one of the greatest Springboks ever and in my eyes he is probably one of the best captains in the history of world rugby, who always put the team first and gave his time for any player, young or old, without ever changing who he is.”

Jan Serfontein will join the squad in Newcastle on Monday as his replacement while De Villiers heads to South Africa for possible surgery.

The break is on the opposite side of De Villiers's jaw to the fracture sustained against Argentina in Durban in August.

Injury has blighted the Springbok centre's World Cup career with just handful of his 109 caps over the last 13 years coming at the showpiece tournament.

De Villiers missed out on the 2003 World Cup, six months after he suffered a serious knee injury just five minutes into his debut against France.

He is officially a 2007 winner, although he tore his biceps during the opening game of the tournament in France and took no further part as the Boks went on to be crowned world champions.

At the last World Cup four years ago, he went off after just 25 minutes of the first game against Wales in Wellington with a rib injury and made just a cameo appearance later on as South Africa exited in the quarter-finals.

Newly appointed Minister of Mineral Resources, Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, has promised to work hard to bring stability in the mining sector. ...

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The third Japan seminar in Johannesburg, on Tuesday, is aimed at promoting trade relations between South Africa and Japan. Deputy President Cyril...

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Eneko Llanos and Jodie Swallow, two of the world’s top triathletes took the Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote 70.3 titles today, showing great skill and experience amongst a respectably high level field. With comfortable victories and in evidently great form, both Llanos and Swallow head off for the World Championships in Kona, only three weeks [...]

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South Africans are in for a treat this week as South African National Parks (SANParks) will allow free access to the majority of its national parks as part of National Parks Week.

SANParks in partnership with First National Bank (FNB) and Total South Africa has opened the 10th official South African National Parks Week to allow South Africans to enjoy the country’s natural beauty.

Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa officially launched the week at the Marakele National Park, in Limpopo, under the theme “Know Your National Parks”.

Speaking at the launch, SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni said the reason for the week is to cultivate a culture of pride in all South Africans.

“SANParks started this campaign to encourage all South Africans, especially those from the communities around the parks, to share in what SANParks envisions to be ‘the pride and joy of all South Africans and the world’,” he said.

According to SANParks, the week is also an opportunity to showcase all national parks as key and affordable local holiday destinations which offer a unique and enlightening experience that families and individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles and communities could enjoy.

Mketeni said free access will be granted to South African day visitors.

“This is also an effort to reach out and allow all citizens a chance to freely access something they might not have been exposed to,” he said.

Access will be granted on the presentation of valid identification documentations. This only applies to people older than 16 years. This is also part of the effort to promote schools to visit parks during the week.

There are limitations to the visit, but these are only extended to commercial ventures within the parks, such as Safari tours, among others.

"The normal daily quota at the gates will still apply during that week and preference will be given based on first come first served basis. Know your parks and fall in love with conserving nature," Mketeni said.

FNB CEO for Public Sector Banking Danny Zandamela said: “The 10th annual SANParks week is a significant milestone in our unwavering commitment to continue enabling South African citizens to experience our country's natural heritage.

“As the most innovative bank globally, FNB actively supports and initiates sustainable measures which are designed to enhance efforts to curb climate change," he said.

General Manager: Strategy at Total South Africa, Pansy Mekwa, said "As a leading energy player in Africa, Total South Africa has a worldwide commitment to respect the environment and promote local, social and economic development.

“This means making corporate social investment an integral part of our operations and business excellence goals. Our partnership with SANParks affords us the vehicle to fulfil this commitment," Mekwa said. – SAnews.gov.za