DURBAN - THE SAPS’ Women’s Network and Men for Change from the Visible Policing and Operations unit at the Durban Harbour will be hosting their 16 Days Of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children campaign.
Sergeant Andile Nldovu, championing the Men for Change initiative at the harbour, said they took note of the rate of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country and other issues, and decided they needed to create awareness.
He said the first day of their campaign would be dedicated to raising HIV/Aids awareness, as it would be on December 1, World Aids Day.
“We will be out and about on the roads engaging with people and raising awareness about HIV/Aids.There are also people who are indirectly affected, perhaps by a loved one who is diagnosed and is defaulting on their medication. So we will also be sharing information on how others can be helped, supported and given hope at home,” said Nldovu.
On December 3, they will host an awareness campaign at Wilson’s Wharf in Durban.
“We have chosen to keep the events of the 3rd at a fixed point because this is a busy area, especially during festive season where people visit from all corners of the country for various activities such as boat rides. So it will be easier to target them all at once, at one of the busiest spots,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu emphasised that it was imperative to acknowledge the existence and bring awareness around the dangers of the Covid-19.
“Since the introduction of the pandemic, we have seen many people become infected with the virus and in some instances losing their lives. But there is a stigma around it still, with the question of how to protect oneself and those around us. In the past, there was the option to vaccinate at their workplaces, and some chose not to because they were afraid. So we want to bring awareness to that, because people shouldn’t be afraid to get vaccinated,” he added.
The SAPS Durban Harbour will be working closely with the Department of Health, which will see health professionals attend the event to give SAPS, Port employees and citizens the opportunity to vaccinate against Covid-19.
They will also have the opportunity to test for both Covid-19 and HIV/Aids.
In commemoration of International Day of Disabled Persons (December 3), there will be a talk on those living with various other disabilities.
Guest speaker, from the SA National Defence force (SANDF), Sanele Zungu, said he was looking forward to raising awareness about the plight faced by people with disabilities.
“There is a lot of stigma pertaining to disability, especially a black disabled child. So I want to engage with community members and enlighten them about people like myself and how we can be better accepted and welcomed in society,” said Zungu.
Zungu added that he had not paid much attention to people living with disabilities prior to his injury.
“Before I was disabled, I did not take any notice of disabled people. I did not pay attention to them. But after my injury I realised that we are sidelined like an inferior disease. Even at public gatherings you are just good for interviews and photographs, after that, you are sidelined and are left on your own,” Zungu added.
He encouraged people to not discriminate against disabled people and to treat them like they would, the next person.
THE MERCURY