Remarks by Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Ms Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko at the Higher Education Close the Gap Campaign Launch, 09 May 2025, Vaal University of Technology (VUT), Vanderbijlpark
• Programme Directors, Ms Thobekile Finger and Mr B Mkhabela,
• Vice Chancellor of VUT, Professor K. Ndlovu,
• Leaders and representatives of the University
• CEO of Higher Health, Professor R. Ahluwalia,
• Representatives from the Department of Higher Education and Training,
• Partners from Soul City, Love-Life, PSI, SAPS and the Gauteng AIDS Council,
• Student leaders, peer educators,
• And most importantly the vibrant young people of VUT
Dumelang, Saniboani
I am honoured to join you today as we bring the Close the Gap Campaign to where it truly belongs, to the youth!
We have already launched this campaign with the Minister of Health at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, and recently, we launched the Children’s Chapter in Ekurhuleni.
Now, it’s your turn young people, Students, Campus leaders and Agents of change.
We are here because HIV is still a present threat amongst us, but we must fight smarter, we must show it will never win this war. However, in any warfare, knowledge is power. It starts with knowing our status.
Programme directors, we are here because too many young people still don’t know their status.
In Gauteng, Three Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand (326,000) people still need to be found and placed on treatment. Of those many are students just like you.
We are here because over Two Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand (282,000) young people between 15 to 24 years of age in South Africa need to be initiated on HIV treatment, and Gauteng carries the largest share of this number.
HIV does not care if you are in university or college. It doesn’t care how smart you are. But what I know is that you must be way smarter than it!
Some of you are already on treatment and you are doing great.
• Remember, some people were born with HIV.
• Some were exposed during unprotected sex.
• Some were exposed through very unfortunate circumstance such as rape.
• Some did not even know they were at risk.
We need to kill the stigma. Being HIV positive is not a reflection of your morality.
So this is what you need to do! If you know that you are HIV positive, start treatment and Stay on treatment to Stay alive.
And if you know your status and you are HIV negative, keep it that way!
Abstain if you can or use a condom every time you engage in sex.
If you think you’re at risk, go to the clinic and get on PrEP within 72 hours of being exposed to minimize the risk of getting HIV.
There are clinics right here on campus. There are people trained to help you. They will listen to you and walk the journey with you. Please talk to someone.
Young women, you do not need to trade your bodies for a wig, for a meal or for a Wi-Fi password. Young men don’t be fooled too. Suga mamas also come with HIV.
Let us stop this "sugar daddy and sugar mamma" culture that is stealing your dreams.
Your life is worth more. Your future is priceless.
As a department we are doing our part:
• We’ve launched Youth Zones which are Adolescents and Youth Friendly services in our clinics.
• We have deployed mobile clinics to your communities
• We have trained HIV Testing Services Counsellors who know how to speak to you.
• We are linking services like mental health, GBV support, HIV, and TB screening into one space.
All you need to do is show up. Show up for your health. Show up for your future.
This campaign is not about the government alone, it is also about you taking charge.
HIV is no longer a death sentence. Ignorance is now the new death sentence.
So, to all the students here today!
• Take the test.
• If you are positive, start your treatment immediately.
• If you are negative, protect that status.
This generation must end HIV, and we can. Let’s close the gap together!
Thank you.
#servicedeliveryza
