Is it possible to make an AIDS vaccine? Why do we need one? How far are we in developing one and what role is South Africa playing in this endeavour? Are there other ways to control the AIDS epidemic?

More than thirty years after the first documented cases, AIDS continues to ravage many parts of the world, with sub-Saharan Africa particularly badly affected. In South Africa alone, almost six million people are living with HIV. Although the development and availability of anti-retroviral drugs has helped to improve the quality of life for those afflicted with the disease, the world's best hope to stop the epidemic rests on developing a safe and effective AIDS vaccine.

Professor Lynn Morris, whose laboratory at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases has made significant contributions towards this goal, will discuss the successes and challenges involved in developing an AIDS vaccine.


Afterwards, therapeutic cocktails at the bar and viral jazz by a stellar line-up: Peter Sklair joined by Louis Mhlanga, Paul Hanmer, Mike Bester and Sam Ibeh. Peter will be presenting some of his own compositions, as well as those of icons such as Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. The music will be improvised, impressionistic and electric
with a dash of funk.

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Artwork by Kabamba Alexandre inspired by the process of HIV entry and antibody neutralisation: (Used with kind permission)