An aggressive campaign, which will see R1 million raised at a single businessmen's banquet, has been launched in Limpopo.

The funds will be used to subsidise HIV/Aids projects currently operating in the province.

Tickets for this Tuesday's banquet cost R1 200 each. The campaign, which aims to raise R3 million during its initial phase, will operate under the umbrella of the Limpopo HIV/Aids Trust Fund, headed by Health and Welfare MEC Sello Moloto. A fulltime fundraiser has been appointed, and many non-government organisations will benefit from the initiative.

In announcing the programme, Moloto said the provincial government was aware of the excellent work being done by a number of non-government organisations. Home care programmes for Aids sufferers and orphans needed to be encouraged. The provincial government was not keen on the idea of institutionalising these children, as the accompanying stigma and discrimination from some quarters of the community could prove harmful.