Africa Centre for HIV/ Aids Management aligns its visual identity with SU’s new logo and research goals

Stellenbosch University's logo, introduced in 2021, marked the start of a new era of continued world-class academics and the aspiration to be Africa's leading research-intensive university by 2040. In addition, the logo elements represent the warmth and vibrancy of the African continent and the array of cultures and languages it embodies.

The directive to align the logos of internal faculties and departments with the new SU logo came at the perfect time for the Africa Centre. The centre has welcomed students from all across sub-Saharan Africa (and further abroad) over the years. In addition, conducting and sharing research on managing HIV and Aids effectively in the world of work and communities is one of the pillars of the centre’s work and its objectives to support, educate and advocate.

The need to be modern and relevant, which is part of what inspired the new logo, is just as critical in the world of HIV and Aids management. Progress in controlling the HIV and Aids pandemic has stalled in recent years. In 2021, for example, there were 1,5 million new HIV infections – a million infections more than the 2020 target of 500 000. This requires a renewed strategic focus on creating awareness of and managing HIV and Aids and all the issues related to the pandemic.

This includes issues of stigma, discrimination and continued gender imbalances, with women and girls accounting for 63% of all new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa in 2021.

In the words of Dr Munya Saruchera, Senior Lecturer and Acting Director at the Africa Centre: “Issues like stigma and discrimination and the resultant mental health challenges are not cured by conventional medical treatment, which is why there is reason to continue caring about HIV and Aids.”

Achieving the necessary victories will require world-class intervention, which the new visual identity represents exceptionally well. The Africa Centre is proud to have the distinctive maroon that sets SU apart from its competitors in its name and to associate with the commitment to research excellence.