Pretoria – The Department of Higher Education and Training has launched its First Things First campaign at the Waterberg Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College at Lebowakgomo campus, Limpopo.
The launch on Monday was the sixth TVET College Activation of the HEAIDS First Things First (HIV, TB, STIs) Programme.
The programme encourages students to know their HIV status and live positively.
It is an initiative of Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana and it seeks to contribute to the National Strategic Plan on HIV and Aids 2012-2016. One of the goals of the plan is to eradicate HIV in institutions of higher learning.
Deputy Minister Manana said positive living will help students to become active participants in the economy, which needs the critical skills of qualified graduates in order to keep growing.
“It should be everyone’s aspiration to get employed or to be entrepreneurs and uplift their communities and the country at large that has invested so much in them,” said Deputy Minister Manana.
Embracing the campaign
He said the department is encouraged that the entire tertiary education sector is embracing the campaign since its launch in 2012.
He said college principals in KwaZulu-Natal have bought into it and are seeing value in rolling out the campaign.
“Since the commencement of this campaign within the TVET sector, large numbers of learners have tested positive. However, this picture is not gloomy but gives an opportunity for better planning by government and partners to provide workable solutions.
“HEAIDS will ensure that pre- and post-counselling as well as relevant support for those who have tested positive (is provided). However, I encourage those who have tested negative to remain negative,” said Deputy Minister Manana.
The Deputy Minister said throughout the years, they have managed to remove the stigma and so many young people are enthusiastic and are heeding the call to get tested.
He encouraged students to focus on their studies, which will one day lead to their own success.
“This message is no joke. We have [come] all the way to empower you. Your principal should one day be proud to [call you] his former students, occupying high positions such as CEO of Eskom, Transnet ...” Deputy Minister Manana said. – SAnews.gov.za
