LEFIKA LA KA TAKES HIV, TB AND STI AWARENESS TO NORTH WEST PLATINUM TV

Today, Lefika La Ka Director, Ms. Rose Mokoto, together with two young peer educators, visited North West Platinum TV as part of ongoing community awareness and education efforts. The interview was recorded at NW Platinum TV studios, while Lefika La Ka operates from Khuma Transnet Centre, where the organisation is a resident community structure.

This engagement forms part of Lefika La Ka’s continued commitment to educating communities about HIV, Advanced HIV Disease (AHD), Tuberculosis (TB), and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). In her opening remarks, Ms. Mokoto mentioned that the interview comes just a day after the world commemorated World TB Day, highlighting the importance of continued awareness, early testing, prevention, and treatment of TB, especially among people living with HIV.

Ms. Mokoto further acknowledged the support that makes this work possible, noting that the programme is funded by UNITAID and the Aurum Institute, with implementation support from the Aurum Institute and technical support from PATA (Paediatric-Adolescent Treatment Africa). She also acknowledged the contribution of Matchboxology, which supported the programme through a Human-Centred Design approach that led to the development of a Community Connector Tool, a simple booklet developed using insights from six countries, and now available to support community-based work and improve linkage to care.

During the discussion, Ms. Mokoto emphasized that everyone has a role to play in the fight against HIV, TB, AHD, and STIs, calling on communities, families, young people, health workers, and leaders to work together to address stigma, improve testing, and support treatment adherence.

During the session, the peer educators played a leading role in sharing knowledge, speaking openly about what young people know, experience, and observe in their communities. They addressed common myths and misconceptions, especially those that contribute to stigma and prevent people from testing or seeking treatment.

Ms. Rose Mokoto provided factual information on transmission, prevention, early testing, and treatment, emphasizing that HIV and TB are manageable and treatable when diagnosed early. She also highlighted the importance of community dialogue in fighting stigma, discrimination, and fear associated with these diseases.

«“Young people are at the centre of our communities. When they are informed, they become powerful agents of change who can help correct misinformation, reduce stigma, and encourage healthy behaviour. We all have a role to play in ending HIV and TB,” said Ms. Mokoto.»

The discussion also focused on the challenges faced by young people in accessing health services, including fear of judgment, lack of information, and stigma. By giving peer educators a platform to speak, the programme ensured that youth voices are heard and included in the response.

Lefika La Ka believes that partnerships with media platforms such as North West Platinum TV are important in reaching wider audiences and promoting open conversations about health, while community-based work continues from Khuma Transnet Centre, where the organisation is based.

This initiative is expected to go a long way in:

– addressing misinformation
– reducing stigma
– encouraging testing and treatment
– strengthening community knowledge on HIV, AHD, TB and STIs

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#KhumaTransnet #NorthWestPlatinumTV #FightStigma #TBIsCurable
#HIVTreatmentWorks #HealthForAll #SouthAfricaHealth