By Nangamso Mabindla
10 February 2005

MEMBERS of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) have gone on a condom awareness roadshow at Mdantsane's CBD, known as Highway.

The visit, on 9 February, was one of several programmes run by the TAC as part of STI Condom Week, which was launched this week in partnership with Buffalo City and non-governmental organisations at Border Technikon's main campus in Berlin.

The TAC's Zanenkosi Mpofu says the organisation is targeting technikons, schools, the Highway, Reeston and other places around the city, raising awareness about HIV/Aids.

"At the technikon we stressed the importance of protection. We also encouraged students to speak out about their status," says Mpofu.

However, fear of victimisation by their peers kept some students quiet. "It's sad that people still do that but we encourage them to come out so that they in turn can be assisted to fight the illness," Mpofu says.

The Buffalo City Intersectoral Forum, launched last year, is helping create awareness about HIV/Aids.

"We're working closely with the forum in this campaign; some people from the municipality will be doing the same thing in Reeston."

The TAC is also working with the Ikhwezi Lokusa Wellness Centre, which provides basic health care to people living with HIV. "We really want to show that we're serious about fighting this killer, especially among young people," says Mpofu.

Mdantsane residents appreciated the effort and braved the wet weather to listen to the TAC team.

One resident, Bulelani Fowl, said the commitment shown by these organisations was amazing.

"It's good that they came to teach us about how important it is to protect ourselves from HIV, but I'm also happy they're telling us that using condoms can decrease the rate of teenage pregnancy."

The two-week campaign will end on Wednesday, 16 February.