Welcome to the AIDS Consortium website

The AIDS Consortium is human rights organisation committed to openness and non-discrimination on the basis of HIV/AIDS. The AC supports a 1000-strong affiliate network of AIDS Service Organizations and individuals. Services include Training, Advocacy, Libraries, Distribution hubs, Cyber cafés, Community fora and networks, building AIDS Competent communities and bridging the gap between local and national, communities and SANAC.

19 June 2009 :: Re-igniting the passion of Human Rights in the era of HIV

Today, as The AIDS Consortium re-launch the HIV and AIDS Charter, many people living with HIV continue to have their rights violated by those that love them, strangers, healthcare workers, work place colleagues, communities and their families – hence the necessity of reaffirming a 17 year old document. Almost three decades into the epidemic, stigma (internal and external) remains a deterrent to accessing HIV testing, treatment and a positive lifestyle and inhibits the attainment of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV and AIDS 2007 -2011 goals.

To deliver an address on this prestigious document is Justice Edwin Cameron, Constitutional Court Judge, founder and patron of The AIDS Consortium, who was also one of the three lawyers who drafted the initial document. Mark Heywood, in his capacity as the Deputy Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and a Government official from the Department of Health have been invited to deliver a message of endorsement for this document. As part of the proceedings, The AIDS Consortium will also share, through a video, public’s opinion around the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.

The Charter follows the Freedom Charter of South Africa, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and was a forerunner to the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa 1996. It continues to complement these and other policy frameworks, such as The National Health Act and The National Strategic Plan, and acts as a guide for other international Charters.

“This re-launch is the beginning of a process of engagement, where The AIDS Consortium calls for further interrogation and discussions on stigma and discrimination as one of the root deterrents to positive living. This document will hopefully one day become invalid as all people will be upholding the rights of people living with HIV” says Denise Hunt, Executive Director of The AIDS Consortium.

The AIDS Consortium calls on every South African to take this opportunity to re-ignite the passion of activism by interacting with this document and taking ownership for its implementation.

Our latest annual report has been published and is not available for download as a PDF file. To obtain an electronic copy, click here...

The AC has recently been capturing the interviews of our monthly HEROES on video. To see or download these videos, please visit our new VIDEO page by clicking here...

03 June 2009 :: LATEST INFO PACKS

Please click here to obtain our May and June 2009 Info Packs, along with others from 2009.

28 May 2009 :: VACANCIES

The AC has a vacancy for a Training Manager, with applications closing on 17 June 2009. Click here to learn more...

18 May 2009 :: CELEBRATING PARTNERSHIPS – AC LAUNCH OFFICES IN LIMPOPO

Only two months after launching an office in the North West, The AC is at it again, but this time, in Limpopo. On Monday, 11 May, The AIDS Consortium (national network of over 1000 HIV and AIDS organisations), opened their doors to over 35 selected delegates who came to witness the launch of their new offices in Limpopo. The office is situated in Polokwane - 41 Hans van Rensburg Street, Rampies Building, Office no.4. Different stakeholders honoured the invitation, amongst them was government (Department of Labour), Corporate (Anglo Platinum), Community/Civil Society partners (loveLife, New Start, TAC etc), media and other sectors.

The expansion of The AC into Limpopo is made possible by Irish Aid, a funding partner in the province. “We support this initiative and will continue supporting such initiatives in the province” said Ms. Tamara Mathebula, the HIV & AIDS Programme Advisor from Irish Aid. The AIDS Consortium’s implementing partners in the province are Choice Trust and the AIDS Foundation of South Africa. Fiona Macdonald, Executive Trustee of Choice Trust used the analogy of marriage for this partnership “there will be good times and challenging times, but we want to hold the learnings and knowledge gained to be able to enhance good practices of civil society”.

Delegates were taken through the office which boasts an Information Centre consisting of a Cyber Cafe, a mini HIV and AIDS library and distribution centre. This office is now fully operational and is open from 08h00 till 16h30.

“This is indeed a celebration of partnerships and we really look forward to working together with all of you. The commitment shown by our partners is remarkable!” said Denise Hunt, Executive Director of The AIDS Consortium.

Heroes Campaign 2009

Tender Mavundla
AIDS HERO - June 2009

When she revealed her HIV status on the popular talent show Idols in September 2007, she had already been living with HIV for more than six years. Her courage and commitment to making a contribution in the fight against HIV and AIDS is what pushed this determined young Diva to use this platform to raise HIV awareness in millions of audiences. Tender Mavundla, AIDS Consortium’s June Heroine is indeed a change agent. This was apparent from her interaction this week with over 200 bua@AC (HIV and AIDS monthly networking and information forum) attendees, most of whom were young people who were excited by her music, but also curious to hear her story.

Tender challenged young people to step up and take control of their lives. She made a strong appeal to young men to be more involved in their relationships and take HIV seriously. To young women, she shared her previous experience of being afraid to insist upon condom use, which “has left a permanent scar in my life”. “For you, it doesn’t have to be like this; I had to grow up so quickly because of my circumstances” she added. To all young people, she urged them to “wait until you are ready, don’t give in to peer pressure”, which is what she attributed to her losing her virginity prematurely.

Her soon to be released album is titled Tender Moments and promises to be a hit. Just like everyone, this young woman has fears and joys and yet she is not afraid to claim her future.

To view profiles on our previous monthly, please visit our HEROES page by clicking here...

VIDEOS:
TO VIEW ONLINE VIDEOS OF OUR HEROES, CLICK HERE!

About the HEROES Campaign

The “Heroes campaign” is an AIDS Consortium initiative responding to this negative perception of classifying HIV and AIDS as an outcome of sexual excess and low moral character. This perception discourages disclosure and fuels stigma and discrimination.

This campaign aims to eradicate stigma and discrimination on the basis of one’s HIV status by encouraging discussion and disclosure. Through sharing their personal journeys, prominent people living openly with HIV are the chosen custodians of this campaign. Through a poster and a video clip, the ‘hero’ is profiled and shares his/her journey in dealing with the outcome of their disclosure. This is meant to open channels of communication and encourage discussions around stigma and discrimination. This campaign is a call to prominent people to ‘come out’ and normalise HIV.

The AIDS Consortium (national network of over 1000 HIV and AIDS organisations), yesterday opened their doors to over 30 selected delegates who came to witness the launch of their new offices in Rustenburg (Cnr. Boom & Pretorius – Old Mutual Building).

The launch took place following a vigorous debate hosted and facilitated by The AIDS Consortium (AC) at the Rustenburg Old Town Hall, as part of their monthly bua@AC (HIV and AIDS networking and information forum). Over 140 delegates attended the bua and were told about the launch, but could not all attend the launch due to the AC’s office capacity.

This launch was made possible by support from Oxfam America (one of The AC’s funding partners). “We see this partnership as an extension of the services that Oxfam America is providing to the North West, Rustenburg community” said an excited Mr. Ian Mashingaidze, Oxfam’s Regional Director before cutting the ribbon, thus formally launching the Rustenburg based AC office.

Delegates were taken through the office which boasts an Information Centre consisting of a Cyber Cafe, a mini HIV and AIDS library and distribution centre.

This office is now fully operational and is open from 08h30 till 17h00.

“The AC is excited and ready to serve this community” said Denise Hunt, Executive Director of The AIDS Consortium.

The Aids Consortium Monthly Themes
The dates for 2009 have been updated!

BUA@AC has reached out to more than 2500 people across three provinces (Limpopo, North West, and Gauteng)

GP bua@AC will now be held on the first Tuesday of each month – please note venue has changed to: AC office, 41 De Korte Street, 7th Floor, Sable Centre, Braamfontein

"bua" is a Sotho word meaning “talk”; it was commonly used at activists’ meetings in the apartheid struggle. When one was making a valid point and the supporters wanted to support his/her statement, they would just say “bua”, which encouraged freedom of expression. These sessions also encouraged networking, comradeship and skills transfer. This epitomises the AC monthly meetings, hence – bua@AC.

The AIDS Consortium bua sessions stand out as a pioneering initiative, bringing together over 400 (throughout three provinces) HIV and AIDS and human rights activists monthly to discuss topical issues, hence a different theme each month. These have taken place for 17 years and are thus renowned in the sector.

The forum encourages networking, skills transfer, debates and discussions that challenge the myths, beliefs and behaviours that continue to drive incidence, human rights violations and stigma and discrimination. Well renowned in the HIV and AIDS sector, the forum is largely aimed at NGOs, FBOs, CBOs and activists in the HIV and AIDS field, but does not exclude any interested community members.