Durban to establish first HIV museum

DURBAN – An interactive and informative HIV exhibition, which is part of a line-up of events leading up to the much anticipated 21st International AIDS Conference which will be held in Durban from 18 to 22 July, has been launched.

The South African Voices Exhibition was launched by Mayor James Nxumalo at KwaMuhle Museum on Monday, 11 July, which was said to be ‘a step towards establishing the City’s own HIV Museum’ in the near future. This will be a first for South Africa.

The exhibition will be showcased at KwaMuhle Museum until December 2017.

City management has described it as ‘a collection of artifacts, historical and photographic items that pay tribute to those who have suffered and succumbed, as well as those who are currently living with HIV/AIDS.’

The city, said Nxumalo, also wanted to build a fully-fledged HIV Museum for South Africa in the near future. “Our Municipality has shown its strong commitment to this vision. Discussions with various stakeholders are at an advanced stage for this vision to be realised,” Nxumalo added.