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30 November 2005

It pleases the Minister of Correctional Services, Mr Ngconde Balfour, MP, to invite you to the commemoration event of celebrating national World AIDS Day on Wednesday, 30 November 2005, at the Mmabatho Convention Centre.

During the last two decades the scourge of the HIV and AIDS epidemic touched the lives of millions of people around the globe. The Department of Correctional Services has an obligation to develop and transform services to meet the needs of the ever-increasing offender population infected and affected by the epidemic.

In supporting today’s International Theme of World AIDS Day 2005 “Stop AIDS… Keep The Promise”, Correctional Services will remain committed to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a comprehensive HIV and AIDS programme, which is in line with government’s approach to provide comprehensive prevention, treatment, care and support services to all those persons entrusted in our care and affected and infected by this epidemic.

The Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Ms Cheryl Gillwald, will deliver a keynote address. Amongst other guests will be Ms Ednah Molewa, the Premier of North West, who will also address the attendants. The event will be graced by a series of proceedings which will include signing of a pledge by Area Commissioners.

The key elements of the HIV and AIDS programme, which form an important part of the HIV and AIDS programme to offenders, are:

* Continuously create awareness and mobilising support among offenders, custodial staff and stakeholders on HIV and AIDS
* Provision of relevant therapeutic treatment to affected and infected offenders
* Creating a caring and supportive environment conducive to enable infected and affected offenders to cope with the epidemic
* Promoting and protecting the rights of offenders who are either infected or affected by HIV and AIDS.

South Africa is facing a number of challenges in the management of HIV and AIDS in societies and Correctional Services as a microcosm of society is shares these challenges. However, the department will continuously engage itself within the clusters on the processes that address the antiretroviral therapy.

The Department of Correctional Services will ensure that the World Health Organisation’s Guidelines on HIV and AIDS in prisons are adhered to. Your presence at this occasion will assist in building a correctional system that truly belongs to all.

Enquiries: Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Tel: (012) 305 8204

Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
30 November 2005

Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www.dcs.gov.za/)