The initiative aims to raise awareness through interactive learner participation which will take place at Seritarita, John Pendro and Langalibalele High Schools in Skimming, Machikiri and Ga-Molekana villages surrounding the Mogalakwena Mine. In the Twickenham mine area, Ntwampe & Phafana High Schools and Motlamotse & Masebudi Primary Schools have been identified to partake in the outreach.

The learners will be engaged in an interactive, fun and educational manner through industrial theatre and they will also receive various tools that will further enhance their educational journey. The partnership with the schools will afford learners an opportunity to be well informed about HIV and break the stigma to take and make the much needed action within their communities. Access to care facilities is often rare to many, however, this initiative is driven to not only inform, but direct all members of communities to ensure their loved ones are informed and taken care of.

This is in support of the UNAIDS 90:90:90 treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic. The treatment target aspires that by 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status. By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Dean Pelser, Executive Head of Safety Health and Environment said “For us as Anglo American Platinum, it is imperative that our various initiatives are centered on the communities in which we operate in. To achieve a collective goal of an HIV free generation, we need to reach out to all members of the society especially the future leaders, who will encourage their family members to get tested and screened for TB, this way they can know their statuses and take necessary steps to living a healthy lifestyle. I have tested, I know my status – do you know yours?”