Scores of concerned community members put everything aside to participate in the Thulamela Municipality Big walk against HIV and AIDS at the weekend.

The 16,6km walk started at Happy Homes (Cheapside Motel) and continued to Malamulele Hospital on Saturday. Despite the fact that the big walk started at 06:00, participants from the four corners of Thulamela Municipality braved the rainy weather and boarded buses to the starting point. The theme of the walk was "Stop HIV/AIDS: Keep the promise."

Thulamela Municipality HIV/AIDS & Youth Coordinator Mr Lutendo Lalumbe said the big walk was meant to raise awareness among the communities about the dangers of AIDS. "We also want people to understand that being HIV positive is not a death sentence. We need to love our people with care because my friend with AIDS is still my friend. As a municipality, we also want to encourage the youth to join hands against AIDS. That is we are preaching this gospel openly, so that everyone can take part in the struggle against AIDS."

The participants conducted a short prayer before they started the big walk, which was controlled by traffic officers. Also available were police and members of the emergency services to make sure that the big walk was a success. They then submitted a symbolic memorandum to the CEO of Malamulele Hospital, Mr VF Risenga. Part of the memorandum read: "We, the people of Thulamela Municipality, including people living with HIV/Aids and the various Support Groups, are highly concerned about the prevalence and spread of the HIV/Aids pandemic. We therefore suggest that you do the following: Intensify the prevention of the spread of HIV/Aids and hasten the roll-out of ARVs to clinics. Do something positive to allow HIV positive people without medical supporters to access ARVs. Employ a full-time dietician and pharmacist at Vutomi clinic. Increase and intensify the awareness campaigns. Supply female condoms to all clinics."