#WorldAIDSDay event was hosted by Higher Health, SANAC, and Umfolozi TVET College in the scenic iLembe District, KwaZulu-Natal.
A powerful initiative was underway as Umfolozi TVET College took proactive steps, engaging students on crucial HIV-related matters. These efforts showcased a purposeful integration of institutional policies, addressing the multifaceted challenges of HIV/AIDS.
Kudos to Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela of Higher Education, Science and Innovation for leading this vital initiative in the fight against HIV. Let’s continue to spread awareness and foster youth engagement.
Deputy Minister Manamela delivered a powerful keynote address as his message resonated deeply: “Substance abuse can lead to risky behaviours like unprotected sex, escalating to sexual abuse and even rape. We must address these issues as we prioritize health and well-being.
Students, take heed! Drug misuse jeopardizes not only your studies but your very lives. HIV/AIDS is manageable with chronic medication, but that’s no excuse for recklessness. Let’s be responsible, safeguard our futures, and ensure we graduate alive and well.”
In the concluding remarks of his impactful Keynote address at Umfolozi TVET College’s #WorldAIDSDay event, Deputy Minister, Mr Buti Manamela mentioned that we will be recognising and awarding 400 of Higher Health’s Peer Educators from the KwaZulu-Natal campuses who have undergone programme training which contributes towards reducing HIV/AIDS on our campuses.
He encouraged them to intensify their efforts in providing more knowledge and education around HIV/AIDS to other students on the campus. Furthermore, he urged them to also continue spreading the message of HIV/AIDS as the impact is clear – HIV/AIDS infections are decreasing on our campuses with the presence of Peer Educators.
In 2023, HIGHER HEALTH achieved a remarkable feat, training over 400 peer educators from all 9 TVET Colleges, Community colleges, and universities in KwaZulu-Natal!
A significant step toward promoting excellence and leadership.
CEO of Higher Health, Prof Ramneek Ahluwalia during his presentation at the #WorldAIDSDay event shared the exciting news that 5000 students (from Universities, TVET and Community Colleges) have recently enrolled in the Civic Education Soft Skills programme which will empower them to become responsible citizens.
Higher Health has established the Civic Education Soft Skills programme at NQF Level5 with support from Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (OCTO) an the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA). The accredited programme offers the Top 10 soft skills of the work space while building resilience amongst our young people at early stages of development.
As a bridging or exit course across our sector it aims towards building Soft skills for better employability and complementing every hard skills offered by Universities and Colleges that will help better economic productivity. This unique first of its kind – NOF Level5 programme is built in all South African major languages including now the sign language.
Besides 10 soft skills – civic education, good citizenship, mental health, Gender studies, climate change, Substance abuse, CSE, disability among other forms part of some of the modules in learning!
Soft skills are needed in bridging our skills gap – an attempt to build a nation that has gone through a lot!
