Status Update Edition 12

StudentS win their way to the Global VillaGe

By Oyama Jack (Office Management & Technology Intern)

Two lucky students Lulamela Bilibana (CPUT) and Amber Brown (False Bay College) won their way to the 21st International AIDS Conference Global Village taking place in Durban this year.

How did they get this right? By simply telling us what they thought of the 2016 CPUT Youth leadership HIV/AIDS Conference by completing a one page evaluation form.

All travel & accommodation expenses are

UPCOMING EVENTS

covered and they don’t have to worry about anything. Imagine their excitement! Next time this could be YOU!!

All you need to do is to like our Facebook page (CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit), get involved and you could be next in line for a prize!

Thanks to Melvynne Muturiki founder of International Association of Peer Educators in Higher Education (IAPEHE).

Message frOM The head Of UnIT

Dear Students

Welcome to the 12th Edition and first newsletter for 2016… another year packed with challenges, growth and more growth.

Just recently our Institution hosted the first graduation for 2016 and it is rewarding to see the joy on the faces of the many students walking around proudly in their graduation gowns-the ultimate reward for any student… any parent and grandparent’s pride.

A very interesting quote by an unknown source says: “A river cuts through a rock not because of its power, but its persistence” In other words, you don’t need to be a genius to succeed this year. Hard work pays off. Maintaining a good balance is key to success. Please participate in various events that will be taking place throughout the year and remember our health care services available at your nearest Campus Clinic.

We once again wish to

Over 16000 students and staff tested for HIV!

First thing First CaMpaign (FtF) engraves its Mark

By Bongiwe Mbeki (Pr Intern)

I attended an interview with UNIFM Campus Radio station to market the HIV Counseling & Testing campaign that kicked off in March 2016 at the Hotel School Granger Bay rotating to other campuses thereafter.

The First thing First campaign aims to help us as students and staff to get tested for HIV. According to Melanie Marais, the HIV Unit Head, TB is the greatest cause of death amongst people living with HIV and a treatable condition. So when you come for HIV testing, you also get screened for STIs and TB. This is a bonus guys.

In collaboration with Campus Clinic and Student Counseling, CPUT HIV / AIDS Unit managed to reach a total of close to 16000 students over a period of two years and this is a record

acknowledge the incredible support from the Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS programme of 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, many of our interventions would not have been possible.

Diana Ferrus sets the tone for the Sexual & Gender-based violence panel discussion

By Zintle Tomose

A well respected poet graced the 2016 Youth Leadership HIV/AIDS Conference crowd with an amazing performance of “I’ve come to take you home”.

for our institution. If you are tested for HIV, you can relax, us as interns are not informed about any student’s HIV statuses. Only the staff testing you will know your status. Sr Sweetness Kola said students who tested HIV positive, get referred to Student Counseling for emotional support by qualified Student Counsellors. Wow! It is good to know that our own institution cares about us through all these campaigns that are absolutely free! So next time when you see the Mobile Van, or pass the HIV Unit or Campus Clinic, go and do the right and responsible thing and get tested.

remember to always practice safer sex by using a condom and girls, use dual protection = Condom use + hormonal contraception. Our motto is: aBsTInenCe Is BesT!

She has accomplished tremendous achievements through her writing and shortly after that, laid the ground for a conversation by the French Government to return Sarah Baartman’s remains back home, South Africa, her place of birth. The South African Government invited Diana to accompany Sarah’s remains back home. As the plane was about to land in Johannesburg, the pilot announced Sarah’s return by saying: “Sarah Baartman, we welcome you home”, I can imagine the joy, excitement and tears after Diana heard the announcement.

Sarah Baartman was a very

obvious example of Genderbased violence and the amount of dehumanization she must have experienced. However, the mood was set to kick start a firing dialogue on issues of Sexual and Gender-Based violence and what we as youth can do to uproot this problem from society.

Youth from different institutions namely, hosts Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of the Western Cape, False Bay College, University of Stellenbosch, College of Cape Town and Boland College participated in this hot topic.

Everyone agreed that we do not have to be stuck with this problem by taking the bull by the horns. Start in our communities, have discussions on these issues, teach young children at a tender age about respect and the value of life.

aCadeMiCs unpaCk issues oF diversity

By Bongiwe Mbeki (Pr Intern)

Attended by CPUT Academics and those of neighbouring institutions, this very critical workshop took place on the 23rd of March 2016 at the CPUT Hotel School in Granger Bay, sponsored by Higher Education AIDS.

The facilitator Mr. Pierre Brouard unpacked critical issues of diversity including issues of social justice, equality, discrimination, stigmatization, HIV, racism, sexual orientation and HIV.

The workshop was really an eye-opener emphasizing the importance to know that people are different and should be respected for human rights and choices in life as long as those choices are within the framework of the law.

HIV Curriculum Integration initiative finds its footprint in Office Management Technology

By naythan Kayser

Ms Belinda Berman a Business Administration lecturer within the Business Faculty implemented a two part HIV workshops series as part of her HIV Curriculum Integration initiative. Ms Berman started this initiative after attending the curriculum integration dialogue hosted by the HIV/Aids Unit in 2015.

Mr Brett Anderson-Terry of Lifelab, has been openly living with HIV for the past 17 years was the facilitator of these workshops. He presented his workshops in an interactive and exciting manner and the students responded greatly to his workshop content.

She explained that Mr Anderson-Terry uses a straight talk approach and he conducts his workshops in a relatable and motivating manner. When the students were asked whether they enjoyed the two part HIV workshop they expressed that they saw it as eye opener and relevant to them as young individuals. Ms Berman plans to implement these HIV workshops every year as part of her 1st year Business Administration subject.

2016 Youth Leadership hiV/aids ConferenCe

“It definitely encouraged our students to do the necessary introspection and assisted with challenging some of their own views and attitudes on issues that they encounter on a daily bases.”

“That was such a game changer in the way we involved students leaders and Peer Educators to engage on issues affecting their peers in the sector and beyond”

– Mr alex semba (heaids)

“The idea of having youth to voice out their opinions in the panel was really good. The entertainment was the best. Entertainment is good, keeps me energized.”

– uWC

Surely HIV & AIDS don’t interest most of us?

By anelisa ndzandzeka (Peer educator)

Surely HIV & AIDS don’t interest most of us, I mean if you are not affected why attend conferences or want to know anything about it?

In high school they taught us enough to get by don’t you think? Varsity is the last place you’d think they care about your health and safety, I mean we all came here to study, graduate and leave, who cares

about your status? And if you’re a “Believer” like me you probably have enough faith that if anyhow you’d be infected, you would be healed so you just don’t care about the HIV & AIDS talk.

That’s mostly how I thought about it, so much ignorance and foolishness in it right? Such mentality is destroying people. Not knowing doesn’t mean you

won’t be affected or infected.

All those thoughts changed the very same day I met Melanie who invited me, my friend and sister to the HIV & AIDS conference last year. I tried listening to her but I wasn’t interested at all but I gave my number anyway. My sister showed interest and couldn’t stop talking about how nice it would be, I guess I had to give

it a try.

Who would have thought that HIV & AIDS conferences would be so educating and interesting that my spirit and soul would long for the next one? The 1st conference left my heart crying for more people to attend and get informed before getting involved so they won’t be deformed. I surely wanted to be involved, be part of the change.

“Please do more of these conferences as they are helpful.”

“Exhibits and entertainment added more value.”

CandlelIgHt MeMOrIal SerVICe

In remembrance of loved ones who lost their lives to hIV

By Bongiwe Mbeki

The HIV/AIDS Unit recently hosted their annual Candlelight Memorial Service at the Bellville and Cape Town campuses. The aim of the event was to remember those who lost their

lives to HIV and light a candle of hope for those affected and infected by HIV. One of our students who lives openly with HIV gave a word of encouragement to us and lit the candle of hope.

By Unathi Bheme

CPUT STUDENT DISCLOSES HER HIV STATUS IN PARLIAMENT a life with hiV

This is a month where we celebrate Human Rights in South Africa. We are celebrating 22 years of being free from the apartheid regime and in the 3rd decade of the HIV pandemic. My name is Unathi Bheme, I am a 27 year old young women living with HIV virus and a 3rd year student at CPUT.

Why did I decide to disclose my HIV Status? Firstly, it was not an easy decision to make but I did it anyway. It’s because I came to a point in my life where I accepted my HIV positive status and want to reach out to those who are battling to accept their HIV positive status and I want to help to break down the stigma attached to HIV. I want to make a difference in your life because that is what I needed when I had to come to terms with my HIV positive status.

On Thursday 21 April 2016, I was invited to Parliament to attend the Department of Higher Education and Training’s budget vote speech, accompanied by Dr. Ramneek Ahluwalia (HEAIDS) where we were guests of Honor for the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mr. Mduduzi Manana.

The purpose of the invitation was to show the honorable members of Parliament the importance of the role that is played by HEAIDS and its programs like First Thing First, which is done in every public higher education institution and college. The Parliament session was later followed by dinner at the African Pride Hotel in Cape Town with Deputy Minister and his amazing team. This was a great experience for a girl like me who is from Informal Settlements and being raised by a single parent who is unemployed.

Disclosing your status is one of the most difficult things to do in our country as people are continuing putting stigma to the disease. If only South Africans can treat the HIV virus like any other chronic disease, the risk of infecting other person would be low as you would know that loving yourself first and have a relationship with you as a person living with the virus then it’s a must to use a protection with my partner and use protection. The question to ask CPUT community is “what would you do if you were HIV/AIDS positive”? You have a responsibility to get tested first. Know your HIV Status and make a wise decision to protect yourself and your partner from contracting HIV. Are you the reader living with HIV? There is hope. I had hope and still have that’s why I can still dream of my future and having my own family one day. Are you struggling to get used to your HIV positive status? Seek help from our wonderful professional staff at Student Counseling or HIV/AIDS Unit. You won’t regret it or contact me through the HIV Unit. And yes, they do protect your privacy. If you feel more comfortable to contact me directly, my e-mail address is: [email protected]

Be safe, know your status, abstain or condomize! to the girls out there, use dual protection. dual protection = hormonal Contraception + Correct condom usage.

Woman, you are Worthy

do we need someone to remind us that we are intelligent, beautiful and worthy?

By Bryanah Marais (sUn)

We live in a time where women are becoming increasingly more visible in society.

With this visibility comes a need to empower young women more to achieve true gender equality in our world. The empowerment of women and girls is an important factor that we all need to commit to this change. With young women like Malala Yousafzai, advocating for girls rights to go

to school; Amandla Stenberg and Zendaya Coleman advocating for women’s rights following in the footsteps of Nina Simone and Frida Kahlo, female artists in their own right. Their hyper visibility in the media has allowed them a platform to empower themselves and remind young women of their own strength and worth.

Do we need someone to remind us that we’re intelligent,

beautiful and worthy? NO.

We’ve come so far, yet there are still so much more women can achieve. If no one has told you today, I’ll tell you, woman, you are worthy, you are smart and intelligent and your beauty is immeasurable. Find your strength from within.

SiMPle SaVinG tiPS for all StudentS

By Luchulumanco nanto

Whether you a first year student or a returning student, saving money is something we all should adapt to. Being thousands of kilometers away from home requires you to be mature and so does your wallet.

This step-by-step guide can help you develop a realistic savings plan:

1 reCord Your eXpenses

Know how much you’re spending by keeping a record of everything you spend.

2 draft a BudGet

This will help you limit your spending within your means and do not go beyond what you can afford.

3 pLan on saVinG MoneY

Create a savings category within your budget and try to safe at least 1015 percent of your net income. Cut back on at least one or two luxury items and there you go.

4 set saVinGs GoaLs Setting savings goals makes it much easier to get started. Begin by deciding how long it will take to reach each goal.

5 deCide on Your priorities Remember that setting priorities means making wise choices.

6 MaKe saVinG MoneY easier With autoMatiC transfers Automatic transfers to your savings account can make saving money much easier.

7 WatCh Your saVinGs GroW

Check your progress every month and see your money grow.

For more information on how to save you can contact the local Student representative Council (lSrC) Finance and Projects Officer, luchulumanco nanto, or alternatively you can visit Student Counselling office which is at 2nd Floor administration Building.

Happy saving!

# We are Cput open day!

Graffiti Artwork Design kept learners going

By Bongiwe Mbeki (Pr Intern)

“Don’t let the Past Determine your Future” was the theme for our 2016 Exhibition Stall at the open Day another exiting part of the year.

Our stall flaunted with an absolutely beautiful art work by Michelangelo Graffiti used as backdrop. The sketches done within less than five minutes was a highlight with many flocking to the HIV/AIDS stall for condom demonstration or out of pure curiosity. But when

they got there, we used the opportunity to empower them with making the right choices around issues of unplanned pregnancy, alcohol and substance abuse and unsafe sex. The event turned out to be a huge success!!!

The HIV/AIDS Unit thank Peer Educators, Public Relations (PR) and Office Management & Techonolgy (OMT) Interns and a German volunteer for their hard work in putting the concept together.

TAKING UP A CHALLENGE IN PEER EDUCATION

By Melvynne Muturiki (UCT graduate)

“IAPEHE is a fun, creative and dynamic platform for peer educators to come together and disrupt the status quo. It is a platform to bring new ways of thinking and the re-imagination of peer education.“

The idea of IAPEHE came to me after attending the CPUT HIV/AIDS Youth Leadership Conference in 2015. Having so many peer educators in one space really reminded me that as a peer educator I belonged to an even bigger, more vibrant family of other peer educators from different tertiary institutions. Being at the Conference made me want to interact with other peer educators, ask them questions about their experiences as peer educators and most importantly: I wanted to connect. That was how IAPEHE was born.

IAPEHE is the International Association of Peer Educators in Higher Education. It is a space where peer educators from different higher educational institutions globally share innovative ideas around peer education and network with each other. They will be able to ask questions that arose while in a satellite session at the conference in 2015 such as “how do you become a great facilitator?” “how do you gain people’s trust?” “what is the audience like at you university” “how can we change the face of peer education?”, questions that are relevant to peer educators and help them grow.

My dream is that peer educators grow further as leaders through networking and interacting with each other. I believe that the coming together of young African Minds, is the key to unlocking

some critical social issues. One of the social issues I am particularly interested one raised by Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia (Head of HEAIDS) at the 2015 Conference in which he proposed a challenge to have 50 peer educators per

institution. Through changing the face of peer education and a collaboration of bright minds within peer education I say: Challenge Accepted!

All peer educators can just join at the website!

iapehe’s website is: iapehe.org

iapehe’s Facebook page: International Association of Peer Educators in Higher Education

Get to KnoW Your peer eduCation offiCer - naythan Kayser

By Oyama Jack (OMT Intern)

Q: Where were you working before you came to Cput?

a: I am a Capetonian and was born and raised here. I worked at UWC’s HIV and Aids program for the last 6 years before starting my journey here at CPUT’s HIV/Aids Unit.

Q: What do you think you would like to change at the unit and in the programme as well?

a: I don’t think my purpose in coming here is to change anything. I will however do my best to contribute to the development and growth of the unit. I think I come with a creative and innovative mind and spirit and hopefully I can use my experience in the field to contribute to making procedures and interventions done by the unit even more positive and life changing.

Q: are you a jokey person? if yes what kind of a joke do you like?

a: I would like to think so yes. I like teasing people and just making fun of things in general. I think it’s important that people see all sides of you as a person.

Q: What are your hobbies?

a: I love dancing and traveling. I have a great interest in exploring new places and others times I just enjoy watching reality TV.

it pays to Be a peer eduCator

2015 Peer Educators get Recognition

By Bongiwe Mbeki

2015 Peer Educators were awarded for their great work amongst their peers throughout 2015 while maintaining a good balance between peer education and their academic performance. Their work does not go unnoticed as they play an integral role on campus and a key partner of the HIV/AIDS Unit. How do we award them?

Key roles of the 2015 Peer Educators included: Condom distribution, mobilizing their peers to participate in HIV Awareness Campaigns, attending meetings, essential training, discussion groups in and around campus and most of all, learn to practise what they preach. They complete a log sheet that is tallied the end of the year and scored according to their level of participation.

Peer Educators also get an opportunity to select their role model of the year. All Peer Educators received a certificate of attendance for their role as Peer Educators. Four of these students were recognized for their outstanding performance. They are Avuzwa Ngubo, Condom Distributor of the year; Luchulumanco Nanto, Peer Educator & Role Model of the Year; Lungiswa Siwisa Langa Young Leaders Award and Viwe Amanda Mashalaba as Senior Peer Educator of the Year.

Well done Guys!

2015 PEER EDUCATION AWARDS

I MPO rTan T CO n Ta CT de Ta IL s

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

tel +27 21 460 4252/3

location Administration Building 2nd Floor (opposite Applications Office)

Cput disaBility unit

BeLLVILLe

tel +27 21 959 6964

CaPe TOWn

tel +27 21 460 9071

email [email protected]

CaMpus CliniC

CaPe TOWn

tel +27 21 460 3405

location Administration Building, Level 2, Room 2.900

BeLLVILLe

tel +27 21 959 6403

location New Library Extension, Ground floor

student Counselling

CaPe TOWn

tel +27 21 460 3237 email [email protected]

BeLLVILLe

tel +27 21 959 6182

Contact us or your nearest Campus Clinic to find out more about our Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Program

YOUR HIV/AIDS UNIT

Melanie Marais

Rene Williams

Sweetness Kola

Makhonza Boyce

Naythan Kayser

Lusanda Mangele

Ireen Malango