P Mlambo-Ngcuka: World AIDS Day

1 December 2006

Theme: "Stop HIV and AIDS - Keep the Promise"

Premier of Mpumalanga, Thabang Makwetla, Inkosi!
Ministers, MEC, mayors, and SANAC representative, all activitists, and People
Living with AIDS
Ladies and gentlemen,

I also recognise Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang who is still off
sick.

I welcome you to World AIDS Day. This day is observed throughout the world
as a time to recommit ourselves in the fight against HIV and AIDS and related
illnesses. Today, I speak with increased hope, because as South Africans we
have moved together in earnest to renew the collective energy and our
partnership against this disease. We all know that HIV and AIDS are among us.
We can only win against it if we join hands to save our people. In the same
way, we joined hands to fight and defeat apartheid. We were united in ushering
peace and democracy, free and fair elections and together we ended political
violence that once ravaged this country.

As South Africans we must be proud of the gains that democracy has brought
and can bring to future generations. But we are also concerned that the HIV and
AIDS pandemic can erode these gains. The only way to turn this tide is Unity in
Purpose, to stop HIV and AIDS by keeping the promise. Today, we are here to
pledge to work together to turn the tide of the pandemic. We are here to tell
you that as government we care, that as health professionals we commit to
service, as activists we commit to support and protection. Our comprehensive
plan has indeed been acknowledged as one of the best in the world. We are here
to commit to making this plan work to prevent infections, to care for the
infected, to treat, to prolong and save lives and to support the effected and
infected persons.

If we focus our energies on conflicting with one another and on differences
between us, we will lose sight of our shared goals and weaken collective
resolve and effort to implement this plan. We have a lot more that unite us.
Today I would like to express my appreciation for the progress we have made as
partners in the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). SANAC is a body
that consists of representatives from government and civil society.

As business, labour, experts and activists we have injected life into SANAC,
which is the highest national body that advises government on all matters
related to HIV and AIDS.

It is a body that demonstrates our collective commitment to dealing with the
pandemic at the highest level, in partnership with society.

As I said at the beginning some inroads have been made, by dedicated health
professionals and many volunteers across the country. We are very proud of
these efforts. As we speak:
* More than 1,7 million people have used the voluntary counselling and testing
services available in over four thousand (4 172) clinics around the country in
the last financial year.
* More than 380 million condoms are being distributed annually.
* 86 percent of clinics are offering services to reduce the risk of mother to
child transmission of HIV.
* Two hundred and seventy three centres (273) are now offering Anti-Retroviral
Treatment (ART) to those who need it.
* Over two hundred and thirteen thousand people (213 282) have been enrolled
for antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the public sector alone. About 11 000
patients are joining the ART programme every month.

A joint message from ALL OF US in SANAC, that is: Government, National
Association of People Living with Aids (NAPWA), Coalition of South African
Trade Unions (COSATU), South African Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition
(SANGOCO), Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), women organisations, SACC,
Traditional Leaders, and more. Today we speak with one voice and we have agreed
on a common message. We have to turn the message to action.

However, much more needs to be done!
The show of unity is by itself not enough! Our joint message says:
1. Strengthen the National Partnership against HIV and AIDS
2. The comprehensive approach is clear and in line with international best
practice.
3. We need treatment care and support, and state support and resources just as
we need care from community and private sector social responsibility.
4. We also need interventions to address the temporary disability of people
living with AIDS.
5. We need to plan to identify children at risk, protect and support child
headed households and others who are vulnerable.
6. We need work-based anti-HIV and AIDS programmes to extend to the communities
from where workers come. These are some of the challenges and commitments on
which we have worked.

Recently reports released by the UN-AIDS, as well as, the Actuarial Society
of South Africa through the Medical Research Council (MRC) have brought back
into focus the reality of the scale of the problem and the plight of infections
amongst the young.

The estimates suggest that there are still many new infections amongst young
people in our country and suggest that delaying sexual activity by young people
is critical.

We have not begun to experience reversal of the prevalence trends yet. But
if we give our all we can make that impact. Many parents are dying prematurely
resulting in an increased number of orphans. Many of us experience these
realities in our day to day life. Nothing less than a formidable partnership
between government and civil society can assist us to achieve our goal of
reversing the tide of this pandemic.

To do that, we should and we must pull together in sending clear messages
that assist our people to fight and manage the disease better.

16 Days of Activism

We also mark World Aids Day during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence
Against Women and Children.

Our men should assist us in the fight against violence and their voice
should be loud on these matters. That campaign is fighting a social ill that
links gender violence and HIV infection, making both women and children
vulnerable to the disease. I call upon our communities to work with the
criminal justice system to protect and create justice for women and children.
Violence against woman and children contributes to the spread of HIV and
AIDS.

In direct response to the unacceptably high levels of sexual violence,
government has now produced the Bill in order to:

* afford complainants (mostly women and children) the maximum and least
traumatizing protection the law can provide
* create special crimes for children and persons with mental disabilities in
recognition of their inherent vulnerability
* update and modernize our jurisprudence in the area of crimes of a sexual
nature
* provide for transitional provisions relating to tackle the scourge of human
trafficking
* introduce measures which seek to synergise and co-ordinate the efforts of the
relevant organs of state so as to enable them to give full expression to the
objects of the Bill.

National Policy Framework

Unusually for legislation, the Bill provides for an inter-sectoral committee
consisting of the Director General's of Justice, Health, National Commissioner
of SAPS, Correctional Services and the National Director of Public Prosecutions
to develop and implement a National Policy Framework which will give practical
expression on the ground to inter alia better services and progressive
realization of treatment options for victims within available resources.

We must continue in our efforts to address social factors such as unequal
gender and sexual relations that put women at risk, unprotected and unsafe sex
and risky behaviour especially during this period of the year when
irresponsible use of alcohol and drugs makes these things worse. This
Christmas, as families especially, let us take a stand; families have not as
yet given the fight against violence and against AIDS visible priority.

In the past months we have made much progress in rebuilding the AIDS
partnership, in that partnership there is room for families.

We would like to commend African broadcast leaders for this extraordinary
initiative to fight HIV and AIDS called the YOU campaign. Over the next several
years, the YOU and its related themes will be integrated across all forms of
programming in the first-ever coordinated pan-African Broadcast media HIV and
AIDS education and awareness campaign.

Even though the African continent is the worst affected by the AIDS
epidemic, while there is no denying the challenge and impact of the epidemic on
families and communities across the continent and the enormity of the challenge
in curbing and managing the epidemic, we Africans must be optimistic and
determined.

We have to lift our sights and believe that a generation free of the scourge
of HIV is attainable. That depends on our hard and unflinching work on young
and old changing their sexual behaviour.

The realisation of such a vision begins with each one of us. None of us is
unaffected by this epidemic - and for the sake of our children, grandchildren,
our families, countries and our continent we need to join together in striving
for an HIV-free generation.

Imagine the possibility. It begins with YOU. It begins in your family.
Parents take responsibility and engage your children before it is too late.

* Through SANAC we have re-established an Inter-Ministerial Committee.

* Working hard with civil society we are restructuring SANAC and its sectors
and we are pulling together in the direction that will benefit our country,
notwithstanding the challenges.
.
I can also inform you that the partners have agreed on sector representation on
the high level structures of SANAC. Two other levels that are close to
programme coordination and implementation have also been agreed upon.

National Strategic Plan On HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infections
(STI) for 2007-2011 (NSP)

We have reached a stage where we can announce our agreement on the broad
framework on the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS and STI for 2007-2011
the details of which will be deliberated on in the next year and completed for
adoption.

The plan flows from the National Strategic Plan 2000 to 2005 as well as the
Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment.
It represents the country’s multi-sectoral response to the challenge of HIV
infection and the wide-ranging impacts of AIDS.

This NSP seeks to provide continued guidance to all government departments
and sectors of civil society, building on work done in the past decade. It is
informed by the nature, dynamics, character of the epidemic, as well as
developments in medical and scientific knowledge. An assessment of the
implementation of the NSP 2000 to 2005 has been useful in defining the capacity
of the implementing agencies.

The two major weaknesses of the NSP 2000 to 2005 were poor coordination at
the level of SANAC, as well as lack of clear targets and monitoring
framework.

The principles upon which the NSP 2007 to 2011 is premised are the
following:

* All government departments and civil society sectors shall be involved in
the fight against HIV and AIDS.
* Government shall take crucial responsibility for education, health care and
Welfare for all the people of South Africa.
* HIV and AIDS competent communities shall form the essential unit of effective
programme implementation including the family unit.
* Special focus will be given to the vulnerable state of children, women,
people with disabilities, people living with HIV and AIDS at all levels of the
national response.
* All interventions shall be evidence based.
* Stigma and discrimination and disrespect for Human Rights shall be
addressed.
* Social Mobilisation, Promotion of Good values, shall be addressed to change
behaviour.

We will strengthen the national health and social system non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and the private
sector and in a co-ordinated manner. There will be monitoring and evaluation
through the informal framework. A suitable predictable financial resource plan
mainly from government but also donors and business.

The four key areas:

* Prevention
* Treatment, care and support
* Human rights and legal rights
* Monitoring and surveillance

Many individuals have participated in the development of the NSP 2007 to
2011, especially the Department of Health and the Minister of Health and we
thank them.

NGOs and professionals will also help to finalise the document so we can
adopt it in March 2007.

We will enter the next year with the vigour to complete this process in the
first quarter and we will come back to you to repeat. In the meantime all
sectors should develop their own strategies and plans on the basis of these
commitments already made.

The theme: "STOP HIV and AIDS - keep the promise" calls on all of us,
Government, civil society organisations and individuals to participate actively
and in a co-ordinated manner as we confront HIV and AIDS. We have a platform,
which will also find expression at provincial and local levels.
At national level we have the following lead departments in the new SANAC,
Health, Education, Transport, Agriculture, Mining, Social Development and
concerned services.

Representation will also include the following:
* people living with hiv and aids,
* the public sector,
* business sector,
* labour sector,
* religious sector,
* community development and non-governmental organisations (NGO) sector,
* traditional leaders' sector,
* traditional healers' sector,
* youth sector,
* academic sector,
* professionals sector,
* women,
* men,
* disability sector,
* children,
* media.

Programme Director, let us reiterate our agenda in this battle:
1. All of us are working towards a common goal - and that is to create a
country that is free from the threat of AIDS, a country that enjoys economic
growth that benefits all, a country that supports those who are affected and
infected.
2. We commit to care.
3. We commit to greater access to treatment where it is needed.
4. To support for an efficient health system.

There is still no known cure for HIV and AIDS but we know we can delay full
known aids through responsible lifestyles, nutrition, and exercise that poverty
speeds up progression from HIV to AIDS as people are exposed to hunger.

So we should also continue fighting poverty and other infectious illnesses
by improving service delivery and enabling communities to acquire skills that
are critical for a better prevention and a better life for all and we must
fight opportunistic infections.

Programme Director, there is also a growing need to make sure that children
who lose parents due to HIV related illnesses are taken care of. This demands
that we consolidate our partnerships with communities and those who work
tirelessly within their villages and townships to provide support and identify
these vulnerable children and child headed families.

I want to thank caregivers who work sometimes under a very very hard
conditions - God Bless you abundantly for care and love of humanity.

During the 16 Days Campaign Against Violence on Women and Children, our men
should play a role in reducing the chances of sexual assault on women and end
it in all 365 days.

For our country to succeed in preventing the spread of HIV, it is vital that
each and every one of us recognises that sexual behaviour is our individual
responsibility.

Younger people should delay their sexual debut and abstain. And when people
do become sexually active, they should use condoms consistently. We should all
avoid having multiple and concurrent sexual partners - let us commit to being
faithful by sticking to one sexual relationship at a time. I would like the
partners in HIV & AIDS who are here with me o stand up be recognised.

Programme Director, Ladies and gentlemen,

Today the world over is commemorating this day. In our country, South
Africa, let us focus our energies towards renewed commitment to strengthen
understanding and responsiveness among all sectors of our society. Working
together, we can cultivate a society that will challenge the stigma and
discrimination that undermine HIV prevention, treatment and care efforts.

We must promote fundamental human rights, dignity, equality, non
discrimination and freedom as cornerstones of our approach to HIV and AIDS.

Our comprehensive programme has created a solid foundation from which to
extend these efforts. Workplace programs are now moving beyond awareness,
towards broader wellness activities that include treatment care and support.
These need to be linked to community services.

Having said that, ladies and gentlemen let me repeat - today is a day of
hope, of comfort, solidarity and compassion.

The value of partnerships at all levels cannot be over emphasised.

Let us join hands in a partnership of hope!

Together we can overcome - this is a time for united action.

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency
1 December 2006