KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has chided men who inflict violence on women and children and also spoke out against “Blessers” and “Sugar Daddies” who prey on vulnerable young girls, exploit them sexually and end up infecting them with HIV.
Premier Dube-Ncube was speaking during the commemoration of World AIDS Day at Vanjazi Sports Ground today in Dannhauser under the Amajuba District Municipality.
The Premier, who was joined by several Members of the Executive Council also led the symbolic candle lighting ceremony during the commemoration of World AIDS Day, which is being held in remembrance of all those who lost their lives due to the AIDS pandemic.
“We encourage young boys and girls to delay their sexual debut and instead focus on their studies, so that they can determine their future, be the captains of their own ship, and masters of their own destiny. The youth are the future leaders of our country therefore we need a healthy generation of young people who will take our country forward,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.
World AIDS Day has been observed across the world since 01 December 1988 to pay attention to the fight against the pandemic and to demonstrate solidarity in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
This marks 41 years since the world came to know about the first reported case of AIDS on 5 June 1981 in the United States of America.
Premier Dube-Ncube commended government for working hard to improve access to life-saving Anti-Retroviral Therapy, which has increased people’s life expectancy and averted the AIDS-related mass burials that once characterised life in South Africa.
The Premier urged young people to abstain from sex, while imploring those who had begun involving themselves in sexual relations to use protection in the form of male and female condoms, as well as the various family planning methods provided by government that are available to them free of charge.
“We have to continue to fight against false beliefs and myths regarding AIDS. Reducing HIV-related stigma is a top priority for the provincial government in order to improve the quality of life for all persons with HIV. We urge the people of KwaZulu-Natal to get tested and know their status, so that if they are living with HIV they can be initiated on treatment immediately, and also avoid spreading the virus,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.
The 2022 World Health Organisation and UNAIDS theme for World Aids Day is: “Equalise and integrate to end AIDS”.
This theme is a call to the global community to act fast in order to address the inequalities, which drive the AIDS pandemic, using practical proven effective measures including the following:
• By uplifting the availability, quality and suitability of services, for HIV treatment, testing and prevention, so that everyone is well-served.
• Reforming laws, policies and practices to tackle the stigma and exclusion faced by people living with HIV and by key and marginalised populations, so that everyone is shown respect and is welcomed.
• Ensuring the sharing of technology to enable equal access to the best HIV science, between communities and between the Global South and North.
Communities will be able to make use of and adapt the “Equalise” message to highlight the inequalities they face and to advocate for the actions needed to address them.
Ends
Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government on behalf of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube