World AIDS Day in Cape Town 2011

Information about what World AIDS Day is all about, and what World AIDS Day events in Cape Town you can attend

On 1 December 1834, many hundreds of men, women and children were emancipated from slavery in South Africa, but still had to serve a four year apprenticeship with their owners, making their official date of freedom 1 December 1838 and 154 years later, in 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 1 December World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day has been held every year since 1988 when health ministers from around the world agreed to dedicate a day in the year to come together to highlight the importance of tackling AIDS and to show solidarity for the cause.

In Cape Town, the annual World AIDS Day gala concert will take place, which will be an inspiring event that is about much more than music and lyrics. It will happen at the Cape Town Interntaional Convention Centre.

Celebrating its 7th year, this formal dress event - with a touch of red - has  a star studded line-up of guest artists that includes the director of this event Jimmie Earl Perry, an international recording artist, actor and the first UNAIDS Special Goodwill Ambassador to South Africa.

Presented by The Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management at Stellenbosch University in collaboration with the Western Cape Government (Health), this joyous celebration honours unsung heroes, salutes individuals and organizations who have contributed to the fight against HIV/AIDS and commemorates the 23rd World Aids Day.

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