RISE MZANSI MZANSI National Leadership Collective Instructions
- June 2, 2024
- RISE MZANSI
Table of Contents
MEDIA STATEMENT
Media Statement by Irfaan Mangera
RISE Mzansi National Leadership Collective Member
SA has made great progress in preventing and treating HIV, yet we all
need to do more
1 December 2023
Release: Immediate
On World AIDS Day 2023, RISE Mzansi stands in solidarity with millions of South Africans and the global community in recognising the progress made in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS and the crucial role of communities, caregivers, and health professionals in this ongoing battle.
Under the theme ‘Let Communities Lead’, we acknowledge the findings of the Sixth South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI), which shows both achievements and challenges in our collective pursuit to end the HIV epidemic. The survey highlights a positive shift, with a decrease in overall HIV prevalence in South Africa from 2017 to 2022. It is worth noting that South Africa has the world’s biggest population living with HIV (8-million), and equally has the world’s largest HIV programme, reaching 5.2million people. This is an extraordinary achievement, which we dare not take for granted.
While the contribution of civil society is recognised and appreciated, the government must also step up and provide capable and ethical leadership to overhaul the public health system so that it provides the necessary interventions and services to accelerate the process of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030 as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal’s (SDG). Equally, we must all take personal responsibility by practicing preventative measures, and regularly checking one’s status when sexually active.
Empowering communities to lead is essential in reaching our goal of ending HIV/AIDS. The call for greater civil society involvement resonates strongly, by underlining the need for accountability, empowerment, and strategic community-driven initiatives against stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations.
To commemorate this day, I will be joining young people in Kliptown this weekend to encourage all South Africans to spend time reflecting on how we can continue to build a country free from HIV and AIDS.
ENDS…
Issued by: Media
queries:
Irfaan Mangera Mabine Seabe
RISE Mzansi National Leadership Collective National Communication Director
Member 084 677
7851
WE, THE PEOPLE, SHALL GOVERN
JUSTICE, FREEDOM, EQUALITY, SOLIDARITY, INTEGRITY