Condom clothing spreads the word: 'If you connect, protect'

Safety first: Onstage at the HAICU event were (from left) Nomapondo Banzi, Nina Gitau Muchunu, Francisca Sokhela, Mayaba Shakankale and Rifquah Hendricks.

Dresses made from condoms were some of the attractions as UCT students massed on Jammie Plaza for an HIV-awareness and prevention event hosted by the HIV/AIDS Co-ordination Unit (aka HAICU) on 9 February.

KFM presenter Kia Johnson in a key message to students, spoke about HIV prevention, getting tested, knowing your status and making informed decisions. Meanwhile, the event made models of AIDS Community Educators (ACEs), UCT's HIV peer educators who paraded the fashionable apparel on the Students Representative Council catwalk.

Students also participated in spot competitions during the event.

The outfits were custom-designed by students from Cape Town College of Fashion, Spero Villioti Design in Gauteng and the Design Academy of Fashion in Cape Town.

For more information about the upcoming testing campaign or to learn more about HIV, contact HAICU on 021 650 1006 or speak to an ACE on campus.