overwhelming success
4 December 2006
The North West Department of Public Works has committed itself to support
the HIV and AIDS Workplace Programme. This commitment was made when the
Executive and Senior management signed a pledge committing them to creating a
working environment that cares for and supports employees who are infected and
affected by HIV and AIDS in Mafikeng recently.
Addressing media at the signing ceremony held at the Head Office of the
provincial department on the conclusion of a two days HIV and AIDS Awareness
Campaign, Head of the Department, Mr Obakeng Mongale said that the campaign
marks the start of a major initiative to be rolled throughout all regions and
the entire department. Earlier the department launched a Voluntary Counselling
and Testing Campaign for executive and senior managers under the theme âKnow
about HIV and AIDS, know your status for your sakeâ.
The objective of the campaign is among others to raise awareness about HIV
and AIDS, and encourages employees to know their status. Mongale added that
because HIV and AIDS represents a challenge to all of us, therefore success in
combating the pandemic depends on a close collaboration and continued
strengthening of partnership with all sectors of society. He mentioned that
Voluntary Counselling and Testing and disclosure by senior managers would
de-stigmatise HIV and AIDS.
Although the campaign originally targeted executive and senior managers, the
enthusiasm among lower employees could not be quelled as requests for slots in
the tight programme overwhelmed the professional team of Counsellors who
conducted the voluntarily in the pre-counselling, testing and
post-counselling.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: (018) 387 2447
Cell: 083 629 1987
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
4 December 2006
