Pretoria - In the buildup towards World Aids Day, the North West Health and Social Development Department has lined up a number of community dialogues on how to reduce new HIV infections.
The provincial dialogues started on Monday, with mining communities within the Bojanala Platinum District and the department urging all communities to take part.
"The dialogues form part of effective consultation and input of all South Africans into the process of developing the National Strategic Plan 2012 - 2016.
"The [dialogues] will be complemented by a street parade on Friday in Rustenburg, which will start at corner Thabo Mbeki and Oliver Thambo via Nelson Mandela street and will end at Rustenburg taxi rank," the department said.
The provincial World Aids Day will be commemorated in Boitekong, a mining community near Rustenburg, where the department, together with stakeholders, will erect over 60 tents to be used for HIV counselling and testing. Dialogues will also form part of official programme.
World Aids Day is observed annually on 1 December and a number of activities are expected to take place, which will call on every individual to take action against the scourge of HIV and Aids.
Government is encouraging social dialogue on HIV and Aids to be the main focus during this year's World Aids Day, to dispel the myths around the condition which touches millions of South African lives.
Themed 'We are responsible', World Aids Day 2010 addresses the collective responsibility of all South Africans to influence and support partners, family and community members to voluntarily test for HIV and set an example by leading healthier lifestyles.
It also addresses the collective responsibility for the world to start contributing towards a common HIV response.
This year's main event will take place in Mpumalanga, where President Jacob Zuma will participate in a dialogue to engage community members and health care workers.
Cabinet members, including MECs will also participate in social dialogue around the country on how to reduce new HIV infections.
