In Recognition of Achievement
Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
Date: July 20, 2014 / Venue: Artscape Theater Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
History of HIV/AIDS
We conduct Epidemiologic and Basic Research, Clinical Trials and Health Service Research with the aim of impacting on health policy.
The history of the HIV and AIDS epidemic began in illness, fear and death as the world faced a new and unknown virus. However, scientific advances, such as the development of antiretroviral drugs, have enabled people with access to treatment to live long and healthy lives with HIV. Medical advances are on-going.
Spread of HIV/AIDS
Our community-based sites are active areas for operational and epidemiological research as well as community mobilization and HIV prevention activities.
Sporadic cases of AIDS were documented prior to 1970. Data suggests the current epidemic started in the mid- to late 1970s, by 1980 HIV may have already spread to 5 continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia), and with 100,000 and 300,000 people infected.
HIV/AIDS in South Africa
Our shared vision for the future includes the continuation of current TB/HIV related work of treatment, care, prevention, and sponsorship of prevention programs.
In 2007 an estimated 5,700,000 South Africans had HIV/AIDS, about 12% of a total population of 48 million, and 18.5 % in the adult population. The number of infected was larger than in any other single country in the world, the other top 5 countries were neighbors of South Africa.
Program Venue
Artscape Theatre Centre is the main performing arts centre in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Artscape Theatre Centre is also the home of Fine Music Radio and oversees the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre in Wynberg, Cape Town. It also houses the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cape Town Opera.
This is the main venue for performance arts including theatre, dance, opera and musicals in Cape Town. It has a great selection of shows that are usually of a good standard.
Desmond Mpilo Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu, (7 October 1931 – 26 December 2021) was a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid.
Desmond Tutu’s middle name ‘Mpilo’ means ‘Life’ in Sotho. It reflects both on his rich professional career and his activism against apartheid, and also his lively personally.
Fondly known locally as the “Arch”, the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate is seen seated with his wife, Nomalizo Leah Shenxane (aka. Leah Tutu) and their daughter, Thandi Tutu, one of four children.
Personal Objectives
Desmond Tutu formulated his objective for South Africa as “a democratic and just society without racial divisions”, and he set forward the following points as minimum demands:
1. Equal civil rights for all
2. The abolition of South Africa’s passport laws
3. A common system of education
4. The cessation of forced deportation from South Africa to the so-called “homelands”
These objectives were dedicated to end the apartheid system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in force from 1948 to 1991.
Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation is housed within the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre (DTHC) at the University of Cape Town. It is committed to the pursuit of excellence in research, treatment, training and prevention of HIV and related infections in Southern Africa.
The Foundation, supported by the Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah, is an accredited research grouping within the University of Cape Town. It is supported in its work by the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation. The research, clinical and community outreach staff of the Foundation share a common.
