Grahamstown, South Africa – On Monday July 20, 2009, a team of students looking to create social change will launch a new program on Radio Grahamstown. Masincedane is a radio show that seeks to address the social stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS by providing a safe environment for community members to come together and support each other.
“Masincedane in Xhosa means ‘let’s come together to talk about it, and support each other,” explains show host Ntosh Mgcuwe of Grahamstown. “We hope that everyone can learn something from this program.”
Each week, Ntosh will host guests from local NGOs and clinics to discuss the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and answer call-in questions. The show will aim to measurably reduce the social stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS through a community dialogue.
“Through our research in the community, we determined that the social stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS prevents access to knowledge, counselling, testing and even treatment,” said Maya Genovesi, member of the Masincedane project.
The team of five students studying as part of the Global PACT program at Rhodes University went out into the community to research the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Global PACT is an organization that teaches program participants the knowledge, skills, and disposition necessary for making change. During the training, students are challenged to identify an issue, develop a sustainable project, and design the blueprint of an organization. The lessons learned are applicable to future projects beyond Global PACT for work with any organization.
“We applaud Radio Grahamstown’
Masincedane will air Mondays 10:30–11:00 AM on Radio Grahamstown, 102.1 FM.
