29 October 2007
Condoms remain the effective means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV and AIDS, Premier Edna
Molewa told young people in the Bojanala District Municipality on Sunday.
At an Imbizo held at the Modderspruit in the Madibeng Local Municipality, a
young person told the Premier that some young people were reluctant to utilise
condoms, which posed a serious health threat as they could get STIs.
He further said that the government should rather provide them with coloured
and flavoured condoms because women are seemingly not interested in the condoms
currently being provided by government.
Premier Molewa noted this as a serious concern, especially coming from a
young person, which demonstrates the level of health consciousness among young
people in the province and the country.
The Premier therefore reiterated government's Abstain, Be faithful,
Condomise (ABC) message, which she called on the youth and all in society to
observe in a quest to ensure a healthy nation.
Molewa urged young people to visit youth advisory centres, clinics and
hospitals to get more information of the effective usage of condoms as a
critical instrument to prevent STIs.
"Condoms remain effective in preventing STIs and we urge all our people to
understand and internalise this. Young people, in particular, are the future of
this country and we must guide them to lead healthy lifestyles so that they can
live long and contribute towards the development of this country.
"I hope that the youth will understand this message and begin to take
preventative measures to prevent STIs," said Molewa.
The country can only succeed in reducing the levels of HIV infections if the
youth and the general population heed the prevention messages, Premier Molewa
noted.
For more information, contact:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Spokesperson
Tel: 018 387 3805
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za / cmonama@yahoo.com
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
29 October 2007
