Addressing an inter-departmental and inter-sectoral ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Thabang Makwetla flagged the strides that the Department of Correctional Services has achieved in the fight against HIV and AIDS from 2005 to date.
Correctional Services in partnership with the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) and other stakeholders including various government departments, facilitated the design and production of over 350 panels that will be sewn together by offenders in Kgosi Mampuru II and Durban Westville Management Areas to develop one big AIDS Memorial Quilt.
The big AIDS quilt will be displayed at the International AIDS Conference to be held in Durban from 19 - 22 July 2016 expected to be attended by 18000 to 23000 delegates from around the world. The AIDS memorial quilts aim to raise awareness and encourage mass participation in the fight against the scourge of HIV and AIDS.
The Deputy Ministers of Health, Basic Education and Social Development handed over an estimated 150 quilts. Speaker after speaker expressed shock at the figures of new infections amongst young females between the ages of 15 to 24 which stand at 90 000 per year. Deputy Minister Enver Surty highlighted that over 12 million learners in the basic education system are receiving AIDS education from Grade R to Matric.
He reiterated the importance of organisations forming partnerships and work together in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
In his speech, Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla explained that the project is of paramount importance for the department because it is more than just producing quilts, but talks to the rehabilitation and skills development of offenders.
He also urged SANAC and all its partners to continue fighting the pandemic until the country realises an AIDS free society by 2030. He said, as of 31 March 2016, over 199 750 inmates tested for HIV and 97% of those with CD4 Count of 500 or less are on treatment.
Mr Samson Makhuiting, an offender serving time at Kgosi Mampuru II mentioned that, designing and making the quilts helped them tell their stories better. “HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, we bring a message of hope to our fellow brothers and sisters”, he said.
“The International AIDS Conference provides an opportunity for South Africans to tell their story to the World”, said Ms Sindi Shangase of SANAC. She said the conference offers an opportunity for reflections on progress made, the challenges faced and what still needs to be done to defeat the pandemic.
Media enquiries:
Ntime Skhosana
Cell: 082 496 6875
E-mail: ntime.skhosana@dcs.gov.za
Kanya Ndaki
Cell: 083 298 6100
E-mail: kanya@sanac.org.za
