EKURHULENI REGIONAL TAXI COUNCIL HIV & AIDS RESPONSE Ms Emma Hlophe South African Cities Network 02 December 2005

INTRODUCTION Infection rates are still shockingly high Increasing figures of people living with HIV & AIDS and those who are ill Threat to country especially youth Driving force increasing infection Need for courage, conviction & practical resolute programmes

TAXI COUNCIL Executive Committee Training Business & Marketing Health & Social Welfare Government Liaison Labour & Human Resource Grievance PRO

VISION Contribute to delivery of sustainable HIV & AIDS services to members in taxi industry

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES Mobilise & commit every member of our industry regional, provincial & national Train executives & associations on HIV & AIDS Implement prevention programmes Add voices to call for care & support of PLWHA & affected people

STRATEGIES Governance Capacity building Education & awareness campaigns Prevention Partnership campaign with government launched in 2003 Communication

PARTNERSHIP Partnership with Provincial and Local Government & local NGO’s Member of Metro and local stakeholders’ forum Attend monthly meetings regularly AIDS Unit advised us on programme management & partnership with NGO’s At forum share ideas on how to deal with challenges Involved in door-to-door campaign

CAPACITY BUILDING Health & Welfare Officer is a Master Trainer for transport sector in three regions Target Associations & taxi ranks Training of 22 Taxi Associations Prevention Counselling VCT 76 Peer Educators

COMMUNICATION Established Help Desks in each region Educate commuters & taxi drivers at taxi ranks Distribute information material e.g. pamphlets Opportunity to distribute condoms

COMMUNICATION MATERIAL Print media e.g. booklets, pamphlets. posters Video cassette Presentation

PREVENTION Education on risk factors Condom distribution & motivate for use STI & condom campaign to lots of people VCT in Springs for transport sector & community Annual HIV & AIDS extensive campaign at stadium

VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING & TESTING VCT centre next to main taxi rank in 2004 Serving large community & expanded space 23 Associations use free VCT Out reach programme in community & taxi industry Educate & provide information on healthy life style

CHALLENGES Inadequate resources Popularise services offered by taxi council Not a lot of members use or come to centre

FUTURE PLANS Regular workshops & training Increase use of centre Extend programme to more members Look for more resources for programme Increase joint projects with government

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV & AIDS THE EKURHULENI TAXI COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND PRODUCTIVE & COURAGEOUS NEW YEAR