The Deputy President David Mabuza will, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), lead the official commemoration of World AIDS Day on Thursday, 01 December at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State.
World AIDS Day is commemorated annually across the globe in solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV and to raise awareness about the status of the epidemic, with a view to encourage HIV prevention, treatment and care.
The 2022 commemorations will take place under the theme: ‘Equalise and Integrate to End AIDS”, which serves as a clarion call to address persistent inequalities that hinder progress against the country’s efforts to end AIDS. These inequalities include poverty, exclusion, inadequate access to services, particularly by key and vulnerable populations including transgender persons and sex workers.
The Deputy President will lead the commemoration alongside the SANAC Civil Society Chairperson Ms Steve Letsike, the Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla, Free State Premier Hon Sisi Ntombela and several local leaders from various sectors. Representatives from development partners inclusive of UN Agencies, US Government, research entities, civil society movements and the private sector will also be in attendance.
Prior to the official commemoration, leaders from government, civil society and development partners will embark on various Policy-In-Action activities around Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (refer to list attached).
Members of the media are invited to attend the commemoration events as follows:
Date: Thursday, 1 December 2022
Time: 9h00
Venue: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium, Rocklands, Bloemfontein, Free State
RSVP by 29 November: Simangaliso Motsepe simangaliso@sanac.org.za / Tshiamo Selomo tshiamo@presidency.gov.za
For media interviews, please contact:
- The Presidency – Matshepo Seedat: matshepo@presidency.gov.za / 082 679 9473
- National Health Department - Foster Mohale: foster.mohale@health.gov.za / 072 432 3792
- SANAC – Nelson Dlamini: nelson@sanac.org.za / 078 731 0313
- FS Premier`s Office – Palesa Chubisi : Palesa.chubisi@fspremier.gov.za/ 078 0637945
- Free State Health Department – Mondli Mvambi: mvambimj@fshealth.gov.za / 082 043 3744
