South Africa’s first Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS’ (UNAIDS) Goodwill Ambassador has called on organisations involved in the fight against the pandemic to join hands to increase the impact of the work being done to reduce new infections. Professor Perry was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador by the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Mr. Michel Sidibe, at the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management’s fifth annual World AIDS Day gala concert last year.
Professor Jimmie Earl Perry says as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and an artist/musician, he would like to partner with various organisations to explore ways of working together to make a serious dent in the country’s current HIV/AIDS statistics. His personal vision is to continue producing more awareness concerts, musical theatre and recordings to spread the message that education is the key to reducing HIV infection rates, as well as helping people living with HIV/AIDS to manage their health.
At a media briefing in January 2010, Dr. Nkhensani Mathabathe, UNAIDS’ Partnership Development and Support Advisor in South Africa, stated that, “Professor Perry has demonstrated a commitment to the fight against Aids through his work with the creative arts and we are confident that he will be a compelling and eloquent advocate in fostering continued support for the response. With his status, influence and visibility, Professor Perry will be a useful advocate in HIV prevention and in addressing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.”
Professor Perry is currently the Director of the Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management’s Educational Theatre and Creative Arts Program. He has been involved in HIV/Aids awareness initiatives since the 1980s. According to Professor Perry, “If we are to turn this pandemic around, South Africans have to really understand what the virus is, how it is spread, that it is not a death sentence thanks to medical treatment and to put an end to the fear and stigma of living with HIV.”
UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassadors are prominent individuals from the world of arts, science, literature, entertainment, sport and other fields of public life who have expressed their desire to move the Aids response forward. There are eight international Goodwill Ambassadors and three national ambassadors, of which Prof Perry is now one.
Biography of Professor Jimmie Earl Perry
The Africa Centre’s Director of Educational Theatre and Creative Arts, Professor Jimmie Earl Perry, is a multi-talented singer, actor and all-round performer who was born in Alabama, and spent his childhood in Trenton, New Jersey in the United States. He received classical, theatrical and gospel training at home, church and at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.
Jimmie is a well-known stage performer and has travelled the world while starring in countless international productions, such as Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon and Starlight Express.
He first came to South Africa in 2004 and shortly afterwards decided to make Cape Town his home. Today he uses his talent and experience to advance the fight against HIV and AIDS through the creative arts. He creates productions to educate people of all races, creeds and cultures in the prevention of HIV infection through testing and knowing one’s HIV status, as well as managing one’s health.
In 2006 he released his first South African produced CD, Power of the dream. The album showcases the vast range of his musical repertoire and includes ballads from well-known artists as well as Jimmie’s own original compositions.
Background on the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management
The Centre was established in January 2003, after the Presidency challenged the university to create a programme model that “would take HIV training and capacity building to the managers and labour leaders of the country’s workforce”. The challenge resulted in a Postgraduate Diploma in HIV/AIDS Management (PDM), which was first presented in 2001. Today the Centre also presents a Masters programme with students from more than 18 countries enrolled.
Originally part of the Department of Industrial Psychology at Stellenbosch University, the Centre is now a separate unit for education, research and community service related to HIV and AIDS Management in the workplace. It offers the most comprehensive HIV training programmes in the world, empowering people to take control of the epidemic and to reach out to those affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management uses interactive educational theatre to mobilise communities in respect of HIV and Aids. This includes eliminating stigma, developing partnerships between social and governmental decision-makers and systematically involving infected and affected communities and individuals.
This role is fulfilled by the Educational Theatre Company, established in 2004. Actors, mostly from the Stellenbosch community, were auditioned and selected and trained in dramatic performance, theatre skills as well as HIV and AIDS awareness. The company’s first production is the mini-musical Lucky the Hero! It was written by South African actress, Vicky Davis, and directed by Jimmie Earl Perry.
Issued by:
Anthea Abraham
Media Voice Communication Services
082 062 0947/ 021-906 1611/ anthea@mediavoice.co.za