Remarks by Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe at Candlelight Prayer, held at Ingwenyama Lodge

Programme director
Organisers of this event
HOD Thulani Sibuyi
Chief Director Ndonga
Senior managers from the department
Invited guests
All officials from the department
Ladies and gentlemen

Let me begin my remarks by quoting Princess Anne of the Royal house of Great Britain who says; I quote; “It could be said that the AIDS pandemic is a classic own-goal scored by the human race against itself” Close quote.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a sad statement of our time, because it only means we are to blame and we are responsible for HIV and AIDS. No war on the face of earth is more destructive that the AIDS pandemic.

We are gathered here to give moral support to those who are infected by HIV and to give comfort to those who are affected by the disease in one way or the other.

It is reality, we are all affected by this pandemic, and it is this regard that government has introduced such prayer sessions, educational workshops, and counselling sessions in order for those affected to be able to concentrate and be able to work normally in delivering the services.

We are here to say you are not alone. We feel your pain and we understand your frustrations. The reality is, it does not mean that if you are infected with HIV you will. NO! It only requires you to live a healthy and a responsible lifestyle.

You cannot be consuming too much alcohol when you know that your life is at risk. You cannot be fooling around because by doing so, you will be increasing the chances for you to reach the end of your life.

This disease is similar to crime. It does not choose whether you are rich, poor, highly educated, or whether you are a man or a woman. We need to change our attitudes, and behave in a well-mannered way in order to stay away from trouble.

As a government we are faced with many challenges due to this disease. Many homes are headed by children because parents have passed on.

Two weeks ago I visited Moloto and Vaalbank where the department went to donate schools uniforms to the needy learners. School principals there told me that when they call parents’ meetings, it is the learners from high schools who come to attend on behalf of their younger brothers and sisters.

It is indeed so sad because these learners are supposed to be at school and concentrate on their learning; unfortunately they become frustrated parents who cannot give to their younger brothers and sisters.

Our government is hard at work in an effort to decrease HIV and AIDS pandemic. Just like in the fight against crime, government needs you to come out and be assisted.

I am glad that there will be free HIV tests here today, I am urging you to go and test. These tests assists government in planning properly in terms of distributing funds because there is a picture of how much are suffering from the disease.

According to the HealthCentral.Com website, AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death among people aged 25 to 44 in the United State. In 1995, it used to be number one. It further states that about 25 million people worldwide have died from this infection since the start of the epidemic.

Although this is not the case in our country, but we would want it to be the least of the diseases that kill our people. World Education AIDS Prevention for Southern Africa states that AIDS is currently a leading cause of death in Africa.

It further states that more than 22.5 million people in Africa carry the HIV virus. It continues to say, at every minute, 11 people worldwide are infected, and 10 of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. That is why government is encouraging everyone to know their status. We can only change the numbers I have already mentioned if we all partner with government in its efforts to save our population.

AIDS education is spread throughout the media; it is spread throughout the government’s information material such as flyers, posters and brochures. It is our responsibility to read and live what it calls on us.

The antiretroviral (ARV’s) are now distributed through the clinics; really we have no reason to blame the current government for not prioritising the fight against this pandemic.

In conclusion, I want urging all of you to know your status by ensuring that you test for HIV today. To those who are infected, please manage your illness by following the doctors’ orders. Those who are on ARV’s, as long as they are still available, please use them for your own benefit.

There are many people who have lived for more than 20 years after being diagnosed. It is because they are prepared to control the illness by following the proper way of life.

The life that is not characterised by un-protected sex, however the life that is healthy characterised by eating healthy and exercise.

The stigma for HIV and AIDS is slowly dying. Nowadays it is no longer an issue if someone is diagnosed or died of HIV and AIDS. Please stay away from the stigma because other people out there are living their normal lives with or without the virus.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you.

Source: Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison