THURSDAY, 1 December is World Aids Day and South Africa will be joining in the focus on the battle against HIV/Aids.

Although the international theme is "Stop Aids. Keep the promise", South Africa is adopting the slogan "A nation caring for life", reflecting the mindset needed to tackle the disease.

The national Department of Health is encouraging communities, institutions and organisations to host Aids Day programmes to create awareness of the disease.

"Let us get together wherever we live, work, learn, study, pray or play and reflect on the impact of HIV and Aids on our families and communities, our nation and our continent," the department says.

A R4,4-million initiative to combat HIV and Aids in the Eastern Cape was recently launched in East London. The initiative is a public private partnership aimed at helping with the management of HIV and Aids in small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Buffalo City, the Eastern Cape and the rest of the country.

Buffalo City mayor, Sindisile Maclean, pledged the City's support of the initiative. "In order to be successful in this fight, we need to forge partnerships with all stakeholders. I am happy to say that Buffalo City will support this initiative and help in ensuring that it is a success."

It is estimated that more than six million people in the country are HIV-positive, making South Africa one of the places with highest infection rates in the world.

The Department of Health has declared 2006 as the year of accelerated HIV and Aids prevention and will intensify its prevention and healthy lifestyle programmes to curb the spread of HIV infection and reduce the impact of the disease on society.