Taking the lead from President Jacob Zuma's unveiling of the new HIV and AIDS programme of action in Port Elizabeth today, Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini will announce the Department of Social Development's role in implementing the new plan.
The announcement will take place in the Northern Cape, where the Minister will address residents of Strydenburg under the theme: "Everyone taking Responsibility". Minister Dlamini is also the Co-Chair of the International Advisory Group on HIV and AIDS and her department is charged, amongst others, with the responsibility of working with civil society organisations to fight social ills in society.
To fight the HIV and AIDS pandemic, the Department of Social Development will play an increasing role in changing behavioural patterns while providing support to the affected and infected South Africans. In particular, it will seek to address the social factors that drive the pandemic as well as aspects relating to how we care for the affected people, especially orphans and vulnerable children.
The Minister will announce a community engagement model through which the department will engage with communities to drive a concerted agenda for social behavioural change and sexual health.
Ms Dlamini will be accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Maria Ntuli and the MEC for Social Development, Mr Alvin Botes.
Media is invited to cover the event:
Date: Friday, 2 December 2011
Time: 10h00
Venue: Streydenburg Stadium, Northern Cape
RSVPs:
Jaconia Kobue
Cell: 082 313 4673
Conrad Fortune
Cell: 079 873 0679
Enquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
