The centre is open for testing on Monday-Thursday from 8:30 until 14:30.

The Mahube Healing Centre uses South Africa's standardized VCT or Voluntary Counselling and Testing.

By saying that the test is voluntary, we mean that a person chooses on his or her own to have an HIV test or not.

The test is done by taking a small sample of a person's blood with a finger prick.

The test used is called the rapid test, therefore a person can know his or her results after about twenty minutes.

Please plan on having an hour available if you come in for testing.

VCT has three main parts:

1. Pre-test counselling. Those seeking an HIV test will first discuss questions about the test and HIV/AIDS with a counsellor. The counselling is confidential, which means that the person is also welcome to discuss any anxiety or concerns before the HIV test is given. During this part of VCT, one will be requested to fill out a consent form.

2. The Test. The test is administered by a nurse, and results usually come back within 20 minutes.

3. Post-test counselling. After the test, the counsellor will give the results in a post-test counselling session. Results are confidential, and will only be discussed with the counselor and the person who was tested.

Please note that a person must be present in order to receive his/her results. Under no circumstances can they be read over the phone.