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Media Release: HIV Aids Awareness Campaign kicks off in Kruger National Park

Date: 2005-02-21

A HIV/Aids Awareness campaign kicked off in the Kruger National Park today (February 21, 2005) with a weeklong campaign aimed at reaching every staff member and contract worker in the 2-million hectare Park.

The campaign will take the form of a roadshow with performances by the cast of SABCs topical comedy show Emzini We Zinsizwe at all of the KNPs major camps, including Punda Maria, Shingwedzi, Mopani, Letaba, Olifants, Satara, Lower Sabie, Crocodile Bridge, Berg-en-Dal, Pretoriuskop and Skukuza.

The cast of Emzini We Zinsizwe (literally translated as Mens Hostel) which, will include Mr Ntuthuko Mqwebu, Mr Ronald Mqwebu (the character Mkhize), Mr Jerry Phele (the character Mufokeng), Mr Jabu Nkosi (the character Chirwale) and Ms Ruth Duduzile Cele (the character Mamgobo or Chakalaka Lady from Hlala Kwa-Bafileyo), will perform live and will discuss issues surrounding HIV/Aids with their audiences by making use of drama and music.

This industrial theatre campaign will form part of the Kruger National Parks overall effort against HIV/Aids, which has included education and awareness campaigns, condom distribution projects and workshops.

We have a responsibility towards our staff to raise overall awareness about HIV/Aids to our people, as well as a responsibility to give those indirectly and directly affected by the disease the necessary care and support. The crew from Emzini We Zinsizwe will help us create an atmosphere where we, as an organization, can support our staff properly in this regard, said Dr Bandile Mkhize, the KNPs Executive Director.

The campaign officially starts today in Punda Maria Main Camp in the Far Northern Region and will work its way down to Skukuza Main Camp in the Southern Region for the last show, which is scheduled for Sunday February 27, 2005 at the Skukuza Soccer Stadium.

There are roughly 2 200 SANParks employees but contract workers and other organizations operating in the Park, which include the SAPS, the SANDF, First National Bank, Postal Services, Natures Group, Tigers Eye and other concessionaires, the total number is boosted well over 3 000 (which excludes family members).