Student leaders from CPUT, UWC, UCT, SU, College of Cape Town, Falsebay College, Northlink and Boland Colleges joined hands at the FIRST Youth Leadership HIV&AIDS Conference held on 5-6 September 2015.
CPUT HIV & AIDS Unit embarked on this project, in collaboration with Student Counseling, Campus Clinic, Student Affairs, and neighbouring Higher Education Institutions. Interesting topics including
leadership development, creating safe space for students, LGBTI & innovative ways to reach youth were facilitated by the various institutions. Students actively engaged one another on the hot topic of student leadership and responsibility.
Over 230 delegates attended the conference with the key issue, student leadership responsibility and reducing high risk behavior amongst students.
MEssAgE FroM THE HEAd oF UNiT
Dear students and staff.
We came to the end of 2015 and on behalf of the team, wish to thank you once again for your participation and for bringing loads of fun and energy to our various programs.
This was an exceptionally busy year for us, starting with the 2015 Peer Education training, Welcoming Ceremony, Condom week, Valentine’s Day, HIV testing campaign, Open Day, Candlelight Memorial, discussion groups, HIV Curriculum Integration, Youth Leadership Conference and many other interventions in collaboration with other Student Support Services.
We hope our programs stimulated many and created more interest to make a difference on campus and in your respective communities.
We once again wish to acknowledge the incredible support from the Higher Education and Training HIV/ AIDS Programme (HEAIDS), a programme of Higher Education South Africa (HESA) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)], and its strategic partners the National; Department of Health (NDoH), Department of Women, Department of Social Development, USAID and PEPFAR partners, the German Government, and many other stakeholders. Without your support, this would not have been
HOPE STRUCTURE LAUNCHED AT BELLVILLE CAMPUS
Kicking out alcohol & substance abuse!
BY: Bongiwe Mbeki (Public Relations Intern)
The HoPe structure has moved to Bellville Campus this second semester and could be seen in front of the Library.
The HIV/AIDS Unit, Student Counseling in collaboration with
AL-ANON launched the HOPE structure at the Bellville campus on the 31July 2015. The structure has bottles that has been pledged to bring hope to the students and staff that have family with drinking problems. They also encouraged those
with alcohol & substance abuse problems, to seek help. The aim of the launch was to create awareness around alcohol and substance abuse, which included a number of interventions at CPUT residences.
Melanie Marais Head of Unit
Women’s Day campaign at SACCO Residence
pajama party with entertainment, Women empowerment, Women’s Health and fun!
The HIV/AIDS Unit hosted a Women’s Month event at SACCo residence where young women were entertained and listened to inspiring words from one of CPUT’s own alumni, radiographer, songwriter and singer Chrystal Swanson.
She shared her own challenges as a student, ZAZI women and how she managed to overcome those
challenges. She instead used her life experience and composed her own music to encourage others. Many of the students could identify with these challenges and felt encouraged to know that it is possible to build on your inner strength as a woman. Some were lucky and walked away with a free CD.
Thank you Chrystal!
ZAZI, know your strength!
Youth Leadership HIV&AIDS Conference
“The program was very educational, and it was well organized. The program was also constructive.”
– TVET srC
“The speakers were excellent and to the point. They were great and inspirational and it was suggested that they do this again in the future. The speakers gave a lot to think about with regards to respective topics on sex and HIV/AIDS.”
– TVET srC
“The speakers were well informed and the stats gave a clear picture what the conference was all about. Every session was enjoyable with the speakers” – Peer Educator
“The program was well executed. It was insightful and informative, and the most educative program ever. Some suggested that more time is needed for the satellite sessions.” –Woman in leadership
Stellenbosch University students
Mr. Andries Slinger, acting HOD Campus Clinic & HIV/AIDS Unit
Youth Leadership HIV&AIDS Conference
“The speakers were passionate about the topic and they were well spoken. They were also well prepared and informative” – religious structure
“ I must say when we met Mrs Melanie with my friend in the student center the Friday before this event somewhere in the back of my head I thought OMG! another HIV boring lecture from “old people”. But it turned out I was wrong and I am glad to say that was one of the well spend weekends I’ve had in a while. My only wish is that such events should not only be for the leaders in the respective campuses but an open invitation to all students because the information acquired here is of utmost importance. Thank you CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit for hosting such a well-organized event” - student
Dr. Ramneek Alhuwalia- Director HEAIDS
Prof Louie Fourie, DVC Knowledge & Information Technology Services
Community Engagement with Schools
By Eden Musampa (Public Relations Intern)
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology HiV&Aids Unit reached out to local schools supporting them in addressing issues like teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, alcohol & substance abuse.
Engaging learners on HIV& AIDS related issues, genderbased violence, personal development, teenage pregnancy choices and decisions that can impact future education was important in this endevour
One student said: ” I would just like to say thank you again for today, not everybody realizes the importance of speaking to us as the future leaders, but you know exactly what it takes and I am extremely thankful for the time and effort you put in, to come and speak to us. Thank you very much.”
The Unit wishes to further collaborate with more schools to educate them around these kinds of risks before they enter tertiary education.
CPUT Firs T Things Firs T hi V Tes T ing C am Paign
exceeds the 13000 mark!
BY LUCHULUMANCO NANTO (Peer Educator)
“I’m not cured, but the hiv is asleep deep in my body.”
- MAGIC JOHNSON
The campaign was achieved in collaboration with the ZAZi and Brothers for life campaigns, TB/ HiV Care Association, Health4Men, CPUT Campus Clinic and the CPUT Media. The aim of the campaign was to encourage safe sexual lifestyle among CPUT students and staff members and to detect the virus for those infected but unaware at an early stage.
2015 saw more men stepping out of shell to test and take the first step in ensuring their health is well taken care of. This was a challenge in the past. It was discovered that some men did not bother themselves to test for HIV due to the perception that ‘if my girlfriend is negative, then so am I.’ which is completely false. Countless students came out with their partners to test together as a way of showing their love towards each other. This is strongly recommended by the CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit that couples test together and not only one partner
We acknowledge the hard work that nurses had to go through, in order to test thousands of CPUT students and staff members. Their services were undeniably outstanding in professionalism. We furthermore acknowledge the support the CPUT Media gave us when we went to residences.
Just a condom is not enough. Just contraceptives are not enough. double up!!
By Samantha Ramatlhape (student)
The HiV/Aids Unit is promoting the ‘double-up’ campaign also known as dual protection, which encourages students to use more than one method of protection to prevent teenage pregnancy, sTis and HiV infection. This is a way to help society move away believing myths about contraceptives and to educate students.
Students say they are highly aware of and make use of condoms as one method of protection; however female learners are reluctant to use other contraceptive methods such as hormone patches, intrauterine device, sterilization and injection.
They had this to say, when asked about what contraceptives they take and why. “Many of my friends take them and they all gained weight they cannot control, I am afraid of the after effects”.
Fear plays a role as one of the reasons why students do not use these contraceptive methods. Also lack of correct information contributes largely to the student’s decisions to not use contraceptives, based on the response received when students were asked about the use of contraceptives.
During an interview with one of the nurses from the Campus Clinic said that students do not need to be afraid as they offer contraceptive services to students which they can access on a daily basis at the clinic.
“Information is accessible with regards to the right procedure to follow and steps to take once you make the decision to use other methods of protection” she clarified.
Students are urged to make calculated decisions and not be taken by the moment; this will have a great impact in assisting with the reduction of unplanned pregnancy amongst students at our university.
I MPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS
As the HIV/AIDS Unit, we are committed to ensuring that our readers know where to seek help when needing assistance with daily life challenges. Below is a list of important contact details.
CPUT HiV/Aids UNiT
CAPE TOwN OFFICE
Tel +27 21 460 4252/3
location Administration Building 2nd Floor (opposite Applications Office)
