Preparing for the International AIDS Conference in Durban

In two weeks, the International AIDS Conference returns to Durban and South Africa for first time since 2000. SECTION27 along with the Treatment Action Campaign and other activists are planning a series of activities.

On Monday 18 July 2016 departing from King Dingizulu Park at 12pm activists from South Africa, and around the world, will fill the streets of Durban. We are not begging, but demanding a new era in the AIDS response.

On Tuesday 19 July 2016, SECTION27 and the Treatment Action Campaign will launch SPOTLIGHT – www.spotlightnsp.co.za – a print and online publication monitoring South Africa’s response to TB and HIV, the state of our health systems and the people that use it and keep it going.

On Thursday 21 July 2016, SECTION27 and the Treatment Action Campaign will show a never before seen documentary about Community Health Workers and host a session at The Royal Hotel at 18:00.
Individuals directly affected by the current health system and its detrimental impact on the primary health care will highlight why we need urgent reform. The panel will also include National Department of Health representatives, international and local experts on human resources for health and activists who advocate on health systems challenges.

Johnny Clegg will be the highlight of the conference at a fundraising concert for the TAC to the held on Thursday 21 July 2016 at 20:00 at the Elangeni Hotel. Please contact Ngqabutho Mpofu for ticket sales on mpofu@section27.org.za.

SECTION27 welcomes the second of our interns, Khanyisa Molaoa. Khanyisa is from Indwe in the Eastern Cape. She is in her second year of her LLB at Walter Sisulu University. In her application Khanyisa expressed concern about the lack of access to books in her community and explained how she started a book club in her neighbourhood. She has been actively involved in SLSJ and is currently the deputy chairperson of her branch. We are looking forward to Khanyisa’s internship from 4 July to 27 July.

From 04 July to 11 July 2016, our public health team will visit Xhora Mouth in the Eastern Cape where we will conduct interviews aimed at finding out about the challenges the community is facing in accessing health care services. We will then move to Mqanduli followed by Port St Johns where we will be encouraging community members to report an issues they experience with accessing emergency medical services.