By Nangamso Mabindla
2 December 2004

BUFFALO City Municipality marked World Aids Day by launching its HIV/Aids intersectoral forum at a packed East London City Hall on Wednesday, December 1.

The City has been involved in a number of programmes to fight the pandemic this year, including a groundbreaking prevalence study on its 5000 employees. Buffalo's Special Programmes Unit also launched its coastal (East London) and inland (King William's Town) intersectoral forums.

In order to commemorate World Aid Day, the City combined the two to ensure effectiveness in its fight against Aids, according to Unit chairperson, Sindiswa Gomba.

"We need to have one umbrella body so we can work in unison," Gomba said. "We need to work as a team if we are to stand a chance against Aids."

She also encouraged the City to strengthen its partnerships with NGOs, business and the community.

"We need these partnerships. We're not the only ones affected by the disease - everyone who lives in the city is. We need to start taking ownership of the disease," she added.

Buffalo City was also identified by its twin city - Leiden in the Netherlands - as an area of priority when it comes to fighting Aids.

"We're grateful to them for keeping us in their hearts in our efforts to fight this killer," Gomba said.

Guest speaker, Gerrit Maritz, from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said the world body would support the City's Aids related programmes. "We want to pledge our support to this city in this all-important step towards a successful fight against Aids," he said.

Maritz also commended Buffalo City for being the first in the province to include its people in the fight against Aids. "You've set an example with the prevalence study and now by including the community in your activities to mark World Aids Day," he added.