World AIDS Day commemorated since 1988. The first of December is marked as The World Awareness Day in all spheres of government be it national, provincial or local level. The event too place at ST’ Marco hall on the 02 of December due to the fact that there was a provincial and a national event that day, agriculture saw it best to commemorate the day on the 2^nd December 2009. The day was about increasing awareness of HIV and AIDS, education and fighting prejudice. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds people that IV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done. The theme for this year was that, “I am responsible, we are taking responsibility.”

Whilst giving the purpose of the day, Mrs. Gladys Dibakwane quoted the President of the country who was speaking at the National World AIDS Day event by saying that; “Unlike many others, HIV and AIDS cannot be overcome simply by improving the quality of drinking water, or eradicating mosquitoes, or mass immunization. It can only be overcome by individuals taking responsibility for their own lives and the lives of those around them.” In her presentation, Me J Rapakoana who was from the department of Health and Social development said that, “the amount of resources dedicated to prevention treatment and care has increased with each successive year. All South Africans should take steps to ensure that they not become infected, that they do not infect others and that they know their status. Each individual must take responsibility for protection against HIV.” She further encouraged the audience to use condoms whenever they engage themselves in sexual activities. Ladies were also encouraged to take responsibility for their own protection by practicing on putting condom on a man, and making sure that they carry female condoms wherever they go for their own safety.

During her presentation Me J Rapakoane demonstrated safety tips when using a condom. These were some of the tips shared by Me J Rapakoane from her presentation:

- Be sure to squeeze the air out of the tip of the condom before you use it, if you don’t squeeze the tip chances for the condom to break are high.

- When rolling the condom down don’t use the fingernails.

- After sex hold the condom at the base of the penis and pull out(the penis, not the condom) before flaccid.

- Check the expiry date carefully.

- If the condom is powdery or sticky when you open it, don’t use it.

- Try out the femidom(female condom).

The message for the day was very clear that the people in our department should take it upon themselves to be responsible and they must not expose themselves to take risks.

The Honorable MEC for Agriculture Me Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba stated that “Every one present at the event today, should know his or her HIV status. Let this be the start of an era of openness, of taking personal responsibility, and of working together in unity to prevent HIV infections and to deal with its impact.” She then presented an award to Mr Modikwa who was introduced as the Ambassador for HIV/AIDS in the department of Agriculture. The MEC also took it upon herself to give certificates of appreciation to the following stakeholders who supported the event; Department of Health and Social Development, GEMS, New Start, Farmers, Takalani Nana Home Care Center, Sureslim, SA National Blood Service, AIDS consortium, VeriMark, and Mpyana Opticals.