Art for AIDS and CHED Launch
Art for AIDS and CHED Launch
Nontobeko Zondi
Revealing of the CHED logo
On Wednesday, 26 February, the Institutional HIV/AIDS Unity (IHAU) launched its name change to that of the Centre for Health Education and Development (CHED) and its new logo as well as the Art for Aids programme with the Department of Visual Arts and Design, at the Bodutu Gallery.
The Director for CHED, Mrs Maureen Motsukunyane said that she felt privileged and honoured to acknowledge the achievement of students who participated in the Art for AIDS programme, a programme which uses artistic designs to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, racism and gender-based violence. She praised the students for their creativity.
An art exhibition showed the students’ videos, pictures and sculptures that formed part of competition. The winner was Ivo Cossa for best image and video titled: The Pastor.
The winners of the competitions
The Centre for Health Education and Development aims to achieve the following objectives:
To reduce the incidence of health conditions – such as HIV, STIs, TB, unplanned youth pregnancies, mental illnesses and those related to gender-based violence (GBV);
To provide accessible, quality and youth friendly healthcare for the above health conditions, by referring students to health, wellness and psychosocial service delivery programmes;
To cultivate a health awareness culture among students and encourage healthy lifestyles that will reduce the risk of developing a range of communicable and non-communicable diseases
To address the psychological, social and cultural factors in the campus environments that undermine the health of students in general including: discrimination against women, stigmatisation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTQI) students, gender-based violence and sexual harassment, abuse of alcohol and other substances, and marginalisation of students with disabilities; and
Develop an institutional structure that stimulates the effective and efficient rollout of peer to peer led education, training programmes and activities.
The HOD: Visual arts and Designs, Dr Johanna van Staden said students need to be the agents of change hence the idea of holding the Art for AIDS programme, which started in 2019.
Mr Mashaole Makwela, a senior lecturer in Fine Art acknowledged the presence of everyone and students who participated in the competition during his vote of thanks and closure.