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Fellow South Africans, once again, Christmas is upon us, a time of goodwill, giving and love. It is also a time for us to spend quality time with our families and loved ones.

We are ending the year on a positive note, the economy is on a stronger footing and more people end the year having obtained access to basic services even in remote areas, although the challenges remain in a number of areas.

We have also seen a strengthening of partnerships between all sectors of the country as we work collectively through challenges such as crime, HIV/AIDS, unemployment and generally building a better life for all in our country. These public-private partnerships will hold us in good stead as we continue the quest for a better life next year.

In addition, we have had a good African year in the continent as well. The African Union was successfully launched in our country, and South Africa became its inaugural chairperson.

We also had the privilege of facilitating landmark agreement for ending conflicts in the Great Lakes region, such as the following:

- Pretoria Agreement between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo in July, which led to the withdrawal of Rwandan troop from the DRC.

- Cease-fire agreements between the Transitional Government of Burundi and three armed opposition parties, signed in Tanzania in October and December, which brought hope to the Barundi people.

- The Inter-Congolese agreement signed last week in Pretoria, which has laid the seeds for stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The conclusion of these agreements have brought hope that peace and stability are possible and attainable in the continent, noting of course that the final victory for peace lies with successful implementation thereof.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us also remember those South Africans who are in difficulty and pain due to illness or death in their families, or those who are too poor to afford the gifts, food and other commodities that have become associated with the Christmas period. In the spirit of Christmas, let us share our time and love with them, and make their load easier to carry.

We also, during this period, remember in particular those infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We extend our condolences to all families who loved ones succumbed to this disease during the year 2002. Our hearts go out to all of them, and also those who lost loved ones through other illnesses as well, be it cancer, malaria or tuberculosis, as well as unnatural causes.

Let us use this period to spread love and caring, and fight the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS by providing support to our family members, neighbours, friends and acquaintances who are infected and affected by this scourge. As part of the moral regeneration of our society and the promotion of all the values we hold dear, let us not turn our backs on those who are in need.

We need to continue working together to make the HIV/AIDS campaign one of Hope, as indicators show that we are making inroads, particularly regarding reducing the spread of the disease among the youth.

As Government, we are doing all we can to fight this epidemic, together with our partners in the Partnership Against Aids.

We have also noted the continuing call for the availability of anti-retroviral drugs. Government is actively engaged in addressing the challenges that must be overcome to create the conditions that would make it feasible and effective to use ant-retroviral drugs in the public health sector. We are therefore working to lower the cost of these drugs, which are at present too costly for universal access, to strengthen the health system and intensify patient education to ensure that the drugs are not used in incorrect ways that can cause harm.

A technical task team of National Treasure and the Department of Health is busy conducting research on cost and other implications of an expanded response to the impact of HIV/AIDS on all sectors of society, and will give a report to government early in the new year. To get better information on anti-retroviral treatment, government is also investigating the experience of HIV/AIDS treatment in the private health sector.

It should also be noted that treatment for opportunistic infections is also available at all public health centres.

As a long-term measure, the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative is busy with laboratory testing of candidate vaccines and clinical trails could start in late 2003.

We believe that there is reason to be hopeful as a lot of work is being done by both government and its partners in civil society to deal with challenges facing our country, be it economic growth, HIV/AIDS or poverty.

We should therefore make this a Christmas of Hope, and work together once again as a nation for a better life for all in the New Year, for the common good of our country.

We wish all South Africans a Merry Christmas and successful New Year.

Issued by The Presidency, Pretoria
Date: 23 Dec 2002 19:05