[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

The Minister of Health,
Premier of the Province of North West,
MECs present,
Fellow South Africans.

It is a great honour for me to represent the President and the Government of South Africa at this important occasion and I thank all of you for caring enough about HIV/AIDS by sharing this moment with us.

This is the day on which the whole world gathers to mourn those who have died, to celebrate the lives of those who are living positively, and to recommit ourselves to further action.

Compatriots, today is indeed a day of remembrance and of hope. It is a day that brings us all together, as we all have something in common. We have all been affected by HIV/AIDS in one way or another.

Since the onset of the disease more than twenty years ago, the disease has begun to take its toll, as we lose our loved ones to this silent and cruel killer.

However difficult it is, I believe that as a country we have made progress in dealing with the disease. Given the lack of a cure for now, our biggest weapon is prevention.

We are therefore pleased by the fact that recent government surveys have shown increased awareness levels, now estimated at more than 90%.

Information about the disease has become easily available, and as a result there has been an increasing sense of social responsibility about HIV/AIDS. There are also signs that we are making headway in terms of reducing infection rates amongst the youth.

Changes like these are the result of massive efforts being made by South Africans in all sectors: government, non-governmental organisations, business, labour, traditional leaders, traditional healers and various other role-players. The media as a sector has also contributed to the campaign, which has added to the increase in awareness levels.

The unity in action against HIV/AIDS has also been visible through the work of health staff in clinics and hospitals, through the care and support provided by families, friends and neighbours.

What we need to do today, and every other day, is to build on these efforts and to maintain hope.

We need to work even harder as a nation, to ensure that the high awareness levels translate into a change in behaviour. Each and everyone of us needs to take a responsibility for spreading the prevention message to friends, families and neighbours, to ask them to Abstain, Be Faithful or use a Condom.

We all need to pull together and work with our youth in order to produce an AIDS free generation. We appeal to men to respect the right of their partners to say NO to sex, or to request the use of a condom.

Most importantly, we need to spread the message that AIDS is not a death sentence. Let us all today pledge ourselves to contribute to the destigmatisation of the disease.

People living with HIV/AIDS have rights like any other person, and they should not be made to feel unwanted.

There are many HIV positive people who are making a significant contribution to this country. Those who are HIV negative and those who do not yet know their status should assist in contributing towards a positive outlook towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

Let us empower ourselves with knowledge about the disease, as it will enable us to deal with fear, prejudice and stereotypes.

We also need to work together to expose people who sexually abuse children, putting them at risk for HIV/AIDS infection. There is a possibility that this increasing attack on defenceless infants is based on the belief that raping children will either cure a man from HIV/AIDS, or prevent him from being infected. Let us all correct this myth and spread the message that this is not true.

Government will do all in its power to deal with offenders, and we rely on the community to come forward with information. Let us work together to protect our children from these beasts, some of whom are their own flesh and blood.

In a moment I am going to light a Flame of Life and I will invite you all to join me in lighting your own flames.

As we do this, I ask you to remember all of our loved ones who have already died of HIV/AIDS.

Think of those among us today and those all around the world who are living with HIV/AIDS. Think of the orphans who have lost their parents, some of whom are HIV positive themselves.

I ask you to think of the families on whom the burden of caring for the dead and dying is falling; I ask you to think of our brave doctors and nurses, and all health and community workers who give so much of themselves to deal with the impact of this disease.

Fellow countrymen and women, I once again would like to invite all of you to play your role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. If we work together, we can make an impact, and a difference.

As I light the Flame of Life, I pledge that I Care Enough to Act, and I ask you to do the same.

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency, 1 December 2001