HIV/AIDS

Introduction

Perceptions are rife within the communities that the South African Transport industry, especially shipping, trucking and taxis enjoy a "liberated" lifestyle. Even the numerous studies that have been carried out, indicate that the Transport sector is a potential catalyst in the transmission of HIV/AIDS, since it ferries people from place to place. As a result, this industry has a poor image associated with the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country. It is for this reason that the National Minister of Transport has highlighted the following points, which the Transport sector needs to attend to:

  • To synergistically and collaboratively formulate a common approach to addressing HIV/AIDS epidemic.
  • To identify or highlight critical areas which demand intensification of our collective efforts.
  • To strategize our approaches and messages in order that it hits the right people in the right ways.
  • To be more imaginative, innovative and creative in our approach of dealing with HIV/AIDS.
  • To review our approaches frequently so as to avoid duplication.

After the resounding success of the National Conference and Launch held on the 28—30 November 2001 at Mdantsane, East London, a document was adopted by all members of all sectors at the conference, including organized labour.

Amongst the resolutions that were taken, the following points were highlighted:

  • Increased availability or accessibility of HIV/AIDS policies to Management and workers.
  • Each Transport sector organization is to have a workplace committee of at least one senior manager.
  • The committee is to set a year plan with time-frames (including Mechanisms to monitor the Provincial Transport Forums in partnership with relevant stakeholders.)
Objectives

To engage the Transport sector in the HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaigns by doing the following activities:

  • To empower the transport employees with knowledge that will make them use the available resources, talents and skills in enhancing programmes of awareness and protection.
  • To establish meaningful and sustainable programmes such as "aids activists" teams within the Transport sector that will facilitate the speedy dissemination of information to our various components.
  • To initiate and develop programmes that will render a comprehensive training and education to all transport stakeholders.
  • To set up an institution or establishment (clinic or resource centre) within the workplace which will be multi-functional in nature. It will be used for testing (voluntary), education, care, solidarity, counselling, support as well as information provision for the workers.
  • To search for and initiate unique strategies that will sustain this initiative.
Background

The KZN Dept. of Transport, under the auspices of the Public Transport Directorate, allocated an R800 000.00 budget towards the HV/AIDS Programme for the 2001/2002 financial year. This programme was to be run by the Provincial Taxi Office with the assistance of the Dept.

The programme was two-pronged ie.

  • it targeted the taxi industry viz. operators, drivers and commuters.
  • truck drivers

Activities that would move the Programme were also divided into two categories, namely

  • Roadshows that would cover all the taxi ranks and Truck stops in the whole of KwaZulu Natal.
  • Workshops that would be a follow-up after the Road Shows.

The services of Ukhamba Communications were roped in with the Production of the Play About Aids. The Road Shows were a success and most of the Taxi Ranks were covered and some Truck-Stops. Unfortunately we could not continue with the Second Phase due to of financial constraints.

Achievements

We have managed to secure the following:

  1. A trainer who visits all the regions in KZN, teaching workers about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
  1. The HIV/AIDS Action Unit, (Health) with whom we have formed a partnership, has secured a slot on P4 Radio for HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaigns.
  1. Wrote articles about HIV/AIDS in the Departmental Newsletter.
  1. Have secured a number of containers to be placed at strategic points- these are to be manned by the Department. of Health staff. These will also serve as resource centres.
  1. Have established an HIV/AIDS committee at work which is going to run with the programme within the Department.
Challenges

Whilst the campaign was applauded as a success in the Province, we are still faced with many challenges which must be dealt with in our approach.

  1. Insufficient publicity campaigns
  1. Trucking and Long driver campaigns
  1. Setting up a clinic at the workplace
  1. Consolidating the activities of the other Transport stakeholders in the Transport sector.

We hope to achieve this in the near future with the support of the Department. and the rest of the Transport sector.

Proposed Schedule

We have approximated this process to last the whole of this financial year It will include the following:

  1. Putting up HIV/AIDS signs along the roads (national) cautioning drivers and commuters about the dangers of this pandemic.
  1. Taking the road shows to the remainder of the places that were not visited during the first campaigns.
  1. Doing follow-up workshops and training throughout the Regions.
  1. Training the Trainer workshops.

Our main aim is to conscientise our commuters, drivers of Busses, Taxis and Trucks, the Transport sector as a whole about the reality of HIV/AIDS. If we can achieve this feat within the next three years, we shall have made a great difference.

Conclusion

In recognizing the growing impact of HIV/AIDS on the world of work-undermining incomes and livelihoods, cutting the labour force, reducing productivity and profitability, the KwaZulu-Natal Department. of Transport has deemed it necessary to formulate an Intergrated Strategy on HIV/AIDS that will ensure that we mainstream and co ordinate on HIV/AIDS programmes. Our Department. recognizes the importance of protecting the vast majority of workers who are not infected, to offer appropriate support and services to those who are infected and affected and to ensure that the impact of HIV/AIDS is mitigated. LET US WALK THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER, PUT BRAKES TO THE HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC AND SHOW THAT WE CARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND STAKEHOLDERS.

 

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