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Miss World reaches out

ILLUMINATION: Miss World Zhang Zilin with Thulani Mngomezulu, left, chairman of the Dudu Zwane Home, and City Joburg's Wandile Zwane yesterday. 02/12/2008. Pic. Mark Hakansson. © Unknown
ILLUMINATION: Miss World Zhang Zilin with Thulani Mngomezulu, left, chairman of the Dudu Zwane Home, and City Joburg's Wandile Zwane yesterday. 02/12/2008. Pic. Mark Hakansson. © Unknown

Louise McAuliffe

Louise McAuliffe

Miss World 2007, Zilin Zhang, accompanied by Miss South Africa 2008 finalists, visited the Dudu Zwane Home in Malvern yesterday to commemorate World Aids Day.

The Dudu Zwane Home is a place of refuge, respect, care and support for those infected with HIV-Aids. The home was founded by Thulani Mngomezulu and Duduzile Zwane, now deceased, and has been operating since June 2004.

The concept of providing care for those affected by HIV-Aids was originally run from a local police station, with members of the public providing support.

Thulani Mngomezulu and a team of board members run the facility which is currently home to 17 adults and two children. The home employs three staff members and four caregivers.

HIV-positive Charles de la Vive thanked everyone for attending the candle-lighting ceremony, saying he was lucky to have been taken in by the Dudu Zwane Home. "I have overcome so much since I arrived here. Some people arrive and die the same day. This year alone our house has lost so many people.

"However, others like me live a healthy life," he said.

"We are very lucky to live here due to the good work and fund-raising efforts of Thulani.

"I am homeless and would otherwise have nowhere to go," said De la Vive.

Residents of the home and neighbours gathered to watch Miss World 2007, along with the Miss South Africa 2008 finalists, light candles as a tribute to World Aids Day.

The event was held to raise awareness of the plight of people who are infected by or suffering from HIV-Aids-related conditions. - Sowetan Online

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