INCA Director Noel Jelliman and DPLG Minister Shiceka

The Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG), alongside its partners, has produced the HIV AIDS Handbook, which is aimed at guiding municipalities to assist those affected with HIV on a community level.

The Handbook was produced by the DPLG in partnership with its partners, South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Medical Research Council (MRC), GTZ and INCA Capacity Building Fund.

HIV/AIDS has historically been addressed as a health issue, yet it has wide ranging impacts that affect the developmental fabric of society; its socio-economic impacts have long lasting effects on society.

Local government as the institution mandated by the South African constitution to drive the state’s local developmental agenda, is strategically positioned at the forefront of fighting the epidemic.

Minister for Provincial and Local Government, Sicelo Shiceka, says that “the mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS into local government and governance can significantly enhance the national effort to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on individuals and communities.”

“The Handbook aims to provide step-by-step guidance to local government practitioners (in particular HIV and AIDS coordinators and IDP Managers) on how HIV and AIDS can be integrated into developmental local governance by using existing municipal processes and structures such as Integrated Development Planning,” says Mr. Noel Jelliman, the Director for INCA Capacity Building Fund.

According to SALGA’s NEC Member, Councilor Zanele Hlatshwayo, it is planned that Provincial Service Providers (PSP’s) will shortly be appointed to start the training programme, which includes ongoing mentoring and support, with the selected municipalities in the second half of 2009.

Dr Liz Thomas, principal researcher from the SA Medical Research Council (MRC) added that preparations for the roll-out have begun in three pilot provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Free State and Mpumalanga provinces.

“Selected districts in each of the three provinces will be targeted for the initial round of training and support. To date, a national set - up workshop has been held, as well as engagements with stakeholders at the provincial and district levels,” she said.

“It is anticipated the roll out will be expanded to the remaining six provinces over the next two years (2010 - 2011). The roll-out will be complemented by the training of DPLG internal staff on HIV and AIDS mainstreaming,” said Ms Hlatshwayo.

For more information about the DPLG and what it is doing to combat HIV AIDS at the local government level visit the website: DPLG