PRESS STATEMENT: WORLD AIDS DAY EVENT HOSTED BY SLAM POETRY OPERATION TEAM

Issued by the SLAM POETRY OPERATION TEAM
08 November 2006

In recognition of the critical role that the literary, visual and performing artists can play in combating the spread of HIV\AIDS in the country and specifically in Kwazulu-Natal, which has escalating numbers of people living with HIV\AIDS, HIV\AIDS Orphans and child-headed families, the Slam Poetry Showcase, a sub-project of the Slam Poetry Operation Team (SPOT) hosts Be Positive & Stay Negative Slamjam on the 1st December 2006 from 17:00 to 20:00 at the Open Air Theatre, Drama Department –Howard College-UKZ.

The event is aimed at using the spoken word to highlight the escalation of the scourge of HIV\AIDS in the province and to promote pro-active measures towards combating the spread disease and also explore ways of ameliorating the conditions of people living with HIV\AIDS and of offering support and care to families affected by the disease. It will feature Spoken Word and Hip Hop performances by Miracle, Bullet, Blaq Hitla, Uninvited Guests, and Slam Poetry Show by Leo Jansen, Soul Ink, Ayanda, Perfect Stranger, and Neftali Dread. Donation (Admission fee) is R10, 00. Proceeds will be donated to an organization dealing with issues of children affected by HIV\AIDS.

The SlamJam will address various aspects of the fight against HIV\AIDS. In the first round of the SlamJam the slam poets will express themselves on the spread of HI\AIDS in the province and the country, focusing on the numbers of people living with HIV\AIDS, the mortality rate of people living with HIV\AIDS, the number of HIV\AIDS orphans and child-headed families in the province. In round two they will articulate themselves on pro-active initiatives and choices people can make to combat the spread of the disease, and in round three they will focus on how to help people living with HIV\AIDS to cope in society, focusing on de-stigmatization of the disease, support and care, life skills and access to treatment and other social services. In round four the audience will choose a topic for each poet and the poets will do impromptu performances\recitals on the topic suggested by the audience.

The choice of the medium of entertainment to pass the message is in itself a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and aimed at emphasizing that people living with HIV\AIDS can still enjoy life and live long if, they choose to live positively and have the support of the society and the government. The interactive format of the Slamjam will be helpful in getting the community to have a sense of ownership of this project geared at increasing the participation of the community in initiatives aimed at halting the spread of HIV\AIDS.

Issued by the SPOT on 08\11\06
For more information contact:
Wandile: 0723092411
Cool fire: 0733511405
Mphutlane: 0765586123\ 031 306 24

INVITATION TO WORLD AIDS DAY CEREMONY

The Slam Poetry Operation Team cordially invites you to the “Be Positive, Stay Negative Slamjam” hosted in celebration of World Aids on 1 December 2006 at 17:00 at the Open Air Theatre, Drama Department, Howard College-University of Kwazulu-Natal.

The SlamJam will address the theme of HIV\AIDS focusing on the spread of the disease in KZN, pro-active measures to combat the spread of the disease, and initiatives towards ameliorating the conditions of People Living with HIV\AIDS. It will feature Spoken Word and Hip Hop performances by Miracle, Bullet, Blaq Hitla, and the Uninvited Guests, and a SlamJam featuring Leo Jansen, Soul Ink, Ayanda, Perfect Stranger, and Neftali Dread. Donation (Admission fee) is R10, 00. Proceeds will be donated to an organization dealing with issues of children affected by HIV\AIDS.

For more information contact:
Wandile: 0723092411
Cool fire: 0733511405
Mphutlane: 0765586123\ 031 306 2427