Speech by Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa at the Candlelight Memorial, Grace Bible Church, Soweto

Ngibingelela lonke ibandla

Today is a day of hope and partnership. It is also a day for us to demonstrate and reinforce our commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Another very central part of this commemoration is to honour and remember loved ones who have died of AIDS related illnesses, and to display support for those living with HIV and AIDS. We are all living with this disease because it affects each and every one of us.

"Leading the way to a world without AIDS" is this year's theme, and that means all of us must take leadership in the fight against this pandemic. The leadership must not be understood to be applicable only to formal structures. We must also take leadership positions in our families and communities.

It is encouraging to note the strong leadership role played by faith-based organisations in our battle against Aids. One of the most important elements of our campaigns is to change the behaviour of people and our faith-based sector is making a massive contribution in this regard.

Many of our children have become "parents" at a very early age. Some of them have not even reached teenager years, but because they lost their parents due to this disease, they have been left with no choice but to head households. In many ways they have been robbed of their childhood. As an individual, you need not wait for a community meeting to tackle the challenge of a child in a similar situation in your neighbourhood. Take the lead, and find out what sort of programmes have been put in place by government and other sectors to assist in such difficulties.

Our department, for example, provides financial support to projects run by non-governmental organisations that support people living with HIV and AIDS. They use these funds to start self-help projects.

Reverend, today is also about encouraging people to know their status, and testing is the only way that one can know of his or her standing.

There is acknowledgement that there is still stigma attached to HIV and AIDS that we still need to deal with. It is important for us to emphasise that this disease does not discriminate. It strikes across all ages, gender, and race and does not shy away from any social or economic level.

Through the Quality Health Care For All programme I launched this month, we will be able to strengthen partnerships further in dealing with health issues, and matters of HIV and AIDS are of major importance.

The campaign is about working together as the people of Gauteng in ensuring a healthier approach to life. It's about taking more ownership for our health at an individual level. Here we are talking about eating correctly, being aware of the dangers of smoking, unsafe sex, alcohol abuse and testing for diseases such as diabetes.

The other leg of the campaign focuses on quality health services being provided by government. We will be the first ones to admit that there is still a long way to go in improving our system especially in the area of customer service. We are in the process of correcting that hence we have started the Quality Assurance Unit within our department.

Having said that about our customer service, we must remember to thank those dedicated members of our staff, particularly nurses and doctors, as they play a significant role in the fight against HIV and AIDS. To them this disease is probably more real than it is to some people as they face the suffering literally every day.

We also remain grateful to Community Healthcare Workers and volunteers for their selflessness. Without them the progress currently being celebrated on handling the disease would not have happened. Nginethulela isigqoko!

Religious institutions also have a major role to play, so I am very pleased and encouraged that this event is taking place here. This is a clear indication of your commitment as this church to the HIV and AIDS partnership. We also thank other partners: the disability sector, entertainment sector, labour, traditional leaders and healers, the private sector and the youth for their role.

Let us walk out of this room and make a difference by providing support to those who need it most.

Thank you.

Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
27 May 2007