Programme Director
Honourable Deputy President Mr Kgalema Motlanthe
Deputy Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) Mr Mark Heywood
Managing Director of Johns Hopkins Mr Patrick Coleman
Programme Manager of Johns Hopkins Mr Mandla Ndlovu
Director General of Health Mr Thami Mseleku
Ladies and gentlemen
It is indeed an honour for me to be part of this gathering to witness the launch of the Brothers for Life initiative which forms part of the national multisectoral response to HIV and AIDS.
It is therefore significant that this new initiative is launched in the month of August which is the Women's Month. It is a positive addition to other initiatives by men who subscribe to the human rights principle that is enshrined in our Constitution.
The initiative is a joint action between government, business and civil society, represented here by the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), the Department of Health's government AIDS action plan, the Johns Health and Education in South Africa, the Sonke Gender Justice and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Under the leadership of the Honourable Deputy President Comrade Kgalema Montlanthe who chairs SANAC, we have experienced growing voices of the SANAC men's sector on HIV and AIDS. The brothers of life have added their voice to support the national efforts. We are honoured to unveil their manifesto and to receive their pledge, a token of their commitment to play a significant role in the development and emancipation of women and protection of children.
Government has identified the need to overhaul the national health system. This overhaul will assist us in the attainment of our health priorities for the next five years. They include the accelerated implementation of the HIV and AIDS strategic plan, the need to address the co-infection of TB/HIV and to increase government's focus on high burden of disease. Our emphasis on achieving these outcomes include addressing issues that go beyond the individual behaviour but seek to address social norms, policies, culture and ensuring supportive environments.
We believe that a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between government and different formations of civil society can assist us to provide accurate information about HIV and AIDS, and to empower women to negotiate the time, the place and the conditions to engage in sexual acts. With these few remarks allow me Programme Director to read the message of the Deputy President of the Republic of South Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, who is also the chairperson of the SANAC.
Mphakathi wakwa-mashu, njengoba benazi ukuthi usekela-mongameli ubefisa ukuhlanganyela kanye nani namhlanje, ngezizathu ezithile akazange akwazi ukuphumelela. Ngicela ukumxolisela kuleyo ndawo. Kuningi abethanda ukukusho kulenhlangano njengosihlalo we South African National Aids Council. Ngenxa yokungaphumeleli kwakhe, ucele ukuba ngidlulise lomyalezo kini.
Ngoba-ke ubhalwe ngesingisi, ngizowufunda unjengoba unjalo. Uma sengiqedile ngizocela umtoliki ayiphinde ngokwesintu.ufundeka kanje/ (the message is available on the website: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za njengoba senizwile ukuthi uthini usekela-mongameleli, nathi njengomnyango wezempilo sithanda ukungcizelela ukuthi siyayisekela lengqungquthelo.
Ayikho into esingayenza uma singabumbene kulempi yokushabalalisa lelingciwane eselibhubhise isizwe sakithi. Kuyancomeka ukuthi nabantu besilisa sebethathe iqhaza ukuvikela nokwehlisa isandulela ngculazi esibulala kakhulu abantu besifazane nezingane.
Phambili nge brothers for life phambili!
Issued by: Department of Health
29 August 2009
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
