South Africa’s ground-breaking Constitution outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. But despite this, particularly in the poorer communities, many gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people across the country face discrimination and prejudice. Aside from a couple of glossy publications catering for the more advantaged, this community has very little access to media through which to express their views, tell their stories, or receive positive messages about themselves. The programme, In the Pink, on Bush Radio, is the first and only radio programme dedicated to gays and lesbians, but it is a lonely voice. Idasa’s Democracy Radio Project, the Triangle Project, and Idasa’s Chapter 2 Network, are getting together to host a day-long workshop for radio producers in Cape Town and surrounding areas, focusing on the gay and lesbian community.

The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI) invite applications for one-year travelling research fellowships in health research, with preference given to proposals which address the MRC's research priorities (see below) and particularly to those addressing HIV/AIDS research. While applications for shorter periods of three to twelve months may be considered, applications for the full twelve-month period are encouraged. The purpose of the fellowship is to build research capacity and strengthen research collaboration within Africa and between African
scientists. The fellowship may be held in South Africa for non-South African applicants, or in any other African country for South African applicants. The award will commence no earlier than May 2002, and will cover the fellow's return travel from home to host country, the fellow's salary (calculated on South African scales, in US$) in the host country, and reasonable research costs in the host country. Five such fellowships may be awarded.

The National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS is a non-governmental organization (NGO) of people living with HIV or AIDS. Its major purpose is to mobilise people living with HIV/AIDS, supporting PLWHA programs, represent, at all levels, their concerns and issues and running educational and leadership development workshops, seminars and campaigns.

The South African government continues to resist efforts to supply its citizens with antiretroviral drugs, the "only medicines known to slow the replication" of HIV, the Washington Post reports.

A tax imposed by South Africa's government on tobacco sales as part of an anti-smoking drive has led to a decisive fall in cigarette consumption over the last eight years, according to new research.

The South African government's oil agency, the Central Energy Fund, has pumped at least R80-million into an unproven, coal-based HIV/Aids treatment that is being tested on Tanzanian soldiers.

The Community Education Computer Society - a computer training NGO established in 1985 for the technological empowerment of the historically disadvantaged - now offers several computer courses for up to 33% discount to organisations and individuals.

"Reshaping the Nursing Landscape" will be the second conference of its kind to be hosted by the Department of Nursing Education, University of the Witwatersrand. The organisers are calling for abstracts for oral and poster presentation. Closing date: 28 November 2001.

Working for change in prison and with prisoners - What can be done? Is it worth the effort? Speakers: Chris Giffard, who will be talking about the conflict resolution work in Pollsmoor prison, Lindi Mkhondo, from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Mariska van Zyl, who will talk about NICRO's Tough Enough programme in seven prisons in Gauteng.

The Gender Advocacy Programme invites you to attend its conference: Basic Income Grant- "Changing Women's Realities". The conference is aimed at enabling participants to understand the need to introduce Basic Income Grant and how it is envisaged to work and develop and strengthen lobbying and advocacy strategies for the introduction of the Basic Income Grant.

The course is presented by Dr Albert Nolan and Theo Coggin, both highly experienced communicators in the religious and NGO fields in Southern Africa, and is intended for those responsible for compiling newsletters and reports, anyone who needs to improve their writing skills as well as those in executive positions charged with communication in their organisation.

Media liaison, training and crisis communication specialists, Quo Vadis Communications, offers a stimulating two-day course for company executives, the NPO sector and anyone tasked with handling the media in their organisations.

The Southern African Migration Project (SAMP) wishes to announce the
publication of Migration Policy Series No. 22 on "Immigration, Xenophobia and Human Rights in South Africa" in partnership with the Roll Back Xenophobia Campaign of the South African Human Rights Commission. The paper provides a comprehensive and reliable guide to South African attitudes towards migrants, immigrants and refugees and is available online or in hard copy.

Within the SARO region, the top priority for this is to provide assistance to the South Africa HIV/AIDS Program Office, which is responsible for the countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland.

A four-year project between the Finnish and South African governments aims to provide information and communication technologies to 20 pilot schools in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape.

In a strikingly frank internal document, South Africa's health department has admitted that it has neglected large numbers of people infected with HIV because it lacks resources.

Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Ronnie Kasrils - South Africa's former deputy defence minister - this week instituted defamation action against four newspapers for their coverage of the arms deal.

Official South African mortality figures for 1997 through 2000, which could lend support to a new report labeling Aids the nation's leading killer, will be released by the end of the year, according to Statistician-General Pali Lehohla, the country's Business Day reports.

Bridges.org provides an update on South Africa's Draft Interception and Monitoring Bill. It contains in-depth background material as well as the latest press release. If you are interested in online privacy and security, take a look.

South African President Thabo Mbeki has been challenged to declare the Aids epidemic a national emergency.