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Date : 15/05/2005
Source: The Presidency
Title: Zuma: International Candlelight Memorial Day


    Address by Deputy President Jacob Zuma to International Candlelight Memorial Day, Ben Marais Hall, Rustenburg
The Minister of Health,
The Premier of the North West province,
MECs, MPLs and MPs
Compatriots affected and infected by HIV and AIDS,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
There are certain days in the calendar of the year that bring us all together to focus on the difficulties and challenges we face in the response to HIV and AIDS. These days also serve to bring us together to learn from each other, encourage and draw strength from each other.

Candlelight Memorial Day is one such day - an opportunity for each one of us to dedicate ourselves - for the first time or once again - to the fight against HIV and AIDS and to the fight against discrimination and injustice that make the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS that much harder.

It is a day in which we join families and friends who are in deep pain, who have loved ones who are critically ill, or whose loved ones have succumbed to the disease.

We extend our condolences to those whose family members have passed on and pledge our solidarity, love and understanding to those who daily face the hardship of this disease, who are nursing the sick.

We pay tribute to those involved in home-based care, and to the nurses and doctors who face the cruelty of the disease daily, having to find ways of treating the sick with dignity and in a manner that gives hope to them and their families.

This year's Candlelight Memorial also serves to encourage each individual to have a personal action and to enable them to make this action a reality for those they love and respect.

It is a day on which we recommit ourselves to a number of activities. Each individual must commit himself or herself to taking the HIV and AIDS challenge as a personal challenge.

That means we all should realise that we have a role to play to arrest the spread of the disease. We need to have ourselves tested so that if we are negative, we act to stay that way, and so that if positive, we begin to live positively and choose healthy lifestyles.

Individuals should also commit themselves to supporting those who are living with the virus and their families. We must offer our understanding, love and encouragement to those affected and infected. Let us not judge each other, but support each other.

This is a day also in which we must recommit ourselves to talking to our youth, to encourage them to live healthy lifestyles, by abstaining from sexual activity until they are old enough to understand the gravity of their actions. We want our youth to focus on their education and on enjoying their youth.

We must emphasise that every individual has a responsibility to fight the spread of AIDS and to work towards dealing with the impact of the disease.

Government is playing its role and has demonstrated its political will to deal with the epidemic. The cornerstone of the government's vision and response to the epidemic is the development of the five-year HIV, AIDS and STI Strategic Plan. This document was produced after careful consultation with key role players and organisations.

The Plan sets out a comprehensive programme, which emphasises a united, cross-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS. It addresses issues of prevention, comprehensive care, support and treatment as well as legal and human right issues.

In 2003, the Comprehensive Care, Management and Treatment Plan fortified this key policy document, by providing practical means for our professional and voluntary healthcare workers to improve the quality of care, support and treatment that is given to people who require it.

I must emphasise that the fight against AIDS is a fight that every sector must become involved in. The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) is the custodian of the country's Partnership against Aids, and brings together all sectors to collectively respond to this scourge.

Many sectors have various programmes that they are involved in, which contribute to the fight against AIDS.

Only last week, government and the religious sector, represented by the National Religious Leader's Forum (NRLF), agreed to formulate a partnership arrangement.

The two parties will endeavour to address the social challenges confronting South Africa, particularly in relation to the following five key areas jointly identified:

* home and community-based care
* social capital and social cohesion
* early childhood development
* social housing, including emergency and transitional shelter
* skills training and access to information.

The challenge remains to further turn discussion into action, and action at an unprecedented intensity and scale. There is a need for us to focus on what we know works.

The religious sector has a presence in almost every community and it will be able to partner us effectively in alleviating the suffering caused by the disease and in assisting affected households.

As government we are determined to continue our efforts to intensify initiatives to prevent new infections among young people, and broad actions to prevent mother-to-child transmission. At the same time we will continue our support for international efforts of searching for appropriate vaccines. We will aggressively ensure that our physicians successfully treat opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis. We also need to work with families and communities to care for children and young people to protect them from violence and abuse, and ensure that they grow up in a safe and supportive environment that also minimizes the risk of their infection with HIV.

Let us work together to create an enabling environment in which care and support is provided to those who are both infected and affected, especially those who are ill.

Let us build a society where living with HIV or AIDS is not accompanied by a stigma which makes people lose their self-confidence and will to live. Anyone can become infected by HIV, let us therefore work to remove the stigma and stereotypes.

Let us work to ensure that by the World AIDS Day in December 2005 we see a very different South Africa - one in which people protect themselves from infection, and where compatriots with HIV and AIDS are acknowledged as productive and active members of society.

Let us aim for a society without discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, so that we may all share the benefits of liberation.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me reiterate that we should all share the responsibility of ensuring that we do not forget those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and that we should spread love, tolerance and understanding today and every other day.

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency
15 May 2005
   

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