AIDS Consortium :: openness and non-discrimination on the basis of HIV and AIDS

About the AIDS Consortium

Last Updated Friday, 18 February 2010 >> Our publications are either in Adobe PDF or MS Word 2003 formats

AC Office Opening Times

The AC office is open to the public from 08:30 til 16:30hrs from Monday to Friday.

HISTORY

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The AIDS Consortium was established in 1992 by Justice Edwin Cameron, a constitutional court Judge of and other HIVandAIDS activists. Its objective was to promote a non-discriminatory response to HIV and AIDS based on people’s basic human rights as enshrined in the South African constitution.

The founding document of The AIDS Consortium was the AIDS Charter, which sets out the basic human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS. This document remains central to the basis of the work of The AIDS Consortium; The AC was established as an independent NGO in Braamfontein at its first AGM in 1998 where 225 members ratified the constitution.

In July 2000 The AC registered as a Section 21 company and is a membership based organisation bringing together a network of over 1000 AIDS Service Organisations (ASO's) and individuals addressing the AIDS pandemic in Southern Africa.

Vision, Mission & Objectives - 2009

The AIDS Consortium (The AC) is a network organisation primarily concerned with servicing people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS through its affiliate constituencies. By providing communication, capacity, information, collective services, leadership and guidance to our affiliates, we are able to help shape the response to the fight against HIV and AIDS in various communities. Networking and collaboration with organisations working in this field are key to shaping the response to HIV and AIDS by our communities, which is where the potential to address the epidemic lies.

Vision

A driving force for social change and competence in HIV leadership.

Mission

The AIDS Consortium uplifts communities by building AIDS competence within its national network, with a specific focus on human rights.

Objectives

1) To bring together communities in a network that facilitates and mobilises change by addressing human rights issues arising in relation to HIV and AIDS. A network that can challenge forms of unfair discrimination on the basis of HIV and AIDS and to deliver a measurable response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic

2) To provide direct engagement with AIDS service organisations, individuals and stakeholders to address the needs, issues and challenges facing people living with HIV3) To uphold the ethos and values as outlined in the HIV and AIDS Charter, which is a founding document of the organisation

AC's GOVERNING DOCUMENT

The AC derives its mandate from the Memorandum of Articles and Association and its founding document, the AIDS Charter

STATUS

Registered with the Department of Welfare as a non-profit organisation

AC is a Public Benefit organisation

Section 21 Company Reg. Number: 2000/017522/08

Vat registered 4710213705

DIRECTORS

Mabalane Mfundisi

Serongwanyane Technologies

mabalane@serongwanyane.co.za

011 403 0095

Rose Thamae

Let us grow

legrow@yahoo.com

072 1188 945

Professor Geoffrey Setswe

Human Science Research Council

gsetswe@hsrc.ac.za

012 302 2602 - 072 025 9875

Advocate Benedict Makola

Advocate of the High Court SA Bar

benny.makola@gmail.com

011 510 7843

Denise Hunt

The AIDS Consortium

denise@aidsconsortium.org.za

011 403 0265

Dr. Shanil Naidoo

Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit

snaidoo@rhru.co.za

011 358 5315

David Douglas

Corporate Ratio

dd@ratiocorporate.com

011 888 4649

Sibongile Mazibuko

Nanga Vhuthilo Positive Life Centre

info@nangavhutshilo.co.za

011 984 7324

Priscilla Khauoe

Persevere Until Something Happens (PUSH)

pusha@mweb.co.za

011 945 2050

AC TEAM

	Denise Hunt Executive Director Organisational Development, Donor Management, Financially astute, Team Development, Relationship Building, Community Background, HIV/AIDS experience, HR Management.
	Roy Naidoo Finance Officer Forward vision on integration of financial and management obligations. Meticulous and Methodical, ANC Youth League background, Manages youth intervention programmes, Income Generation implementer.
	Terri Morris Senior Bookkeeper / HR Administrator
	Rhulani Lehloka Communications and Resource Manager Media background as well as strong networks in health and community, youth and brand integrity.
	Denise Anthony Organisational Development Manager
	Bongani Sithole Distribution and Cyber Café Officer Distribution and merchandise experience as well as logistics background.
	Gerard Payne Advocacy Manager Extensive experience in HIV/AIDS and youth, deeply passionate about community development and empowerment. Well versed in community franchising and programme management.
	Ntokozo Shabalala Logistics Coordinator IT background, worked as a sales and marketing coordinator and training and admin coordinator in CBOs. Passionate about human rights, HIV/AIDS, children and women issues.
	Pearl Ndhlovu Office Administrator (Limpopo) Background in Environmental Science. Worked as an Advocacy Officer, Promoter, Community Development Facilitator and Trainer. “I’m passionate about community development services, HIV and AIDS, women and children!”
	Asnath Shai Training Manager
	Nonzolo Mgcina Affiliate Support Officer Logistics, affiliate support and liaison
	Tebogo Lesele Librarian Information management experience, community development
	Sauwe Moditsi Limpopo Provincial Coordinator Community development; mass mobilisation and networking; HIV and AIDS; local structures
	Wendy Mofokeng Trainer /Mentor in Rustenburg, North West Office Training and facilitation experience
	Kgomotso Lesolang Administrator in Rustenburg office General administrative experience
	Thapelo Rapoo Senior Provincial Coordinator - North West Lots of experience in community and youth development. Management of HIV in both the private and public sector. Organizational development and training. Passionate to make a difference in communities.
	Mpho Mogomotsi Library Volunteer (Soweto)
	Olga Mahasha Library Volunteer (Tzaneen)

HIV AND AIDS CHARTER

HISTORY OF THE AIDS & HIV CHARTER

In the early days of the epidemic in South Africa, there was little or no understanding of the human rights issues raised by HIV and IDS. Discrimination was widespread, and rapidly becoming institutionalised.

In response to this situation, a Charter of Rights for people living with HIV was drafted in 1992, forming the basis for the work of the AIDS Consortium.

Drafted by three lawyers (Edwin Cameron, Edward Swanson and Mahendra Chetty), the Charter drew on international documents such as the Montreal Manifesto of the Universal Rights and Needs of People Living with HIV Disease and the United Kingdom Declaration of the Rights of People with HIV and AIDS, but was adapted for the South African context.

The Charter was endorsed by a wide range of local and international organisations and individuals, including political and religious leaders, artists and community organisations. The Charter was publicly launched on World AIDS Day, 1 December 1992, and was subsequently translated into Afrikaans, Zulu, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa and Sotho. Other countries including Botswana have drawn on the Charter in formulating similar documents.

In July 2009, The HIV and AIDS Charter was re-launched, taking into consideration the current context of the HIV epidemic in South Africa. 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.

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 NSP, 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 cease to exist because 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 every South African to take this opportunity to reignite their passion of activism by interacting with this document and taking ownership for its implementation

HIV and AIDS Charter 2009

Click here for the latest Charter in English

HIV and AIDS Charter 1992

Charter Endorsements