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Date
: 30/08/2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Launch of Beat It! Siyayinqoba Ingculazi SABC
HIV/AIDS programme
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT, MR JACOB ZUMA, AT THE
LAUNCH OF THE "BEAT IT! SIYAYINQOBA INGCULAZI" SABC HIV/AIDS
PROGRAMME, Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg, 30 August 2004
The Deputy Minister of Health, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge,
Members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature,
The Chairperson of the SABC Board and CEO,
Members of SANAC,
CEOs of Love Life and MindSet
Distinguished guests,
We have always believed that the battle against the scourge of HIV
and AIDS would be won decisively if we work together and combine
our efforts in all sectors and spheres.
This has always informed our response to the epidemic, hence the
launch of the Partnership against AIDS and the South African
National AIDS Council.
The broadcast media, especially the SABC, is a powerful member of
this Partnership against AIDS, given the numbers of people it
reaches. That makes the launch of this television programme today
quite significant.
I must also remark that the title of the programme, "Siyayinqoba
Ingculazi-Beat It", is very appropriate, as it gives hope and
determination. It adds momentum to the use of the airwaves to
communicate HIV/AIDS messages such as that of prevention, treatment
and good nutrition, care and support for those living with the
disease as well as the ongoing search for a vaccine.
We also hope that the programme will assist in the process of
empowering families and caregivers as well as people living with
the virus, who are taking anti-retroviral treatment.
Initially when we started implementing the Comprehensive Plan for
the Treatment and Management of HIV and AIDS there were some real
concerns that we had to deal with, and we have tackled those
successfully.
We have completed the process of assessing the state of readiness
of health facilities and we have accredited them. We have also
dealt with staffing issues, training needs, procurement issues, and
we have improved the capacity of laboratories and established
capacity for monitoring patients, amongst some of the issues.
In addition, all provinces have started to implement the
comprehensive plan. At the moment, there are 85 accredited service
points for drugs procurement and these are fully operational. There
are already 8 000 people on Antiretroviral treatment in the public
sector countrywide.
The programme has come at an opportune moment as well because I
believe that we have reached a stage where we can say we are all
living with HIV and AIDS.
The awareness is greater than ever before. Those who are not
infected or who do not know their status know a sibling, relative,
friend or neighbour who is living with the disease or who has died
of an AIDS-related ailment.
The disease has therefore become part of our lives. This calls for
action from each and everyone of us, to minimise the pain and
suffering to the infected and affected, and to join the campaign to
arrest the spread of the disease. We cannot only look up to
Government for a response. Government will continue to play its
role, but the action of each individual also counts.
Most importantly, we must continue to work to de-stigmatise the
disease. We must all, as individuals, internalise that contracting
HIV is not a curse or punishment, and then promote openness about
the disease, to destroy the stigma attached to it.
Together we need to keep on repeating the message that people who
are infected by the virus can live productive lives for many years,
if they lead healthy and positive lifestyles, which we hope this
television programme will advocate.
We cannot condemn our family members, friends, colleagues and
neighbours to a life of isolation just because they live with HIV,
when they can, and do, continue to lead normal lives and contribute
to the economy of this country and their communities.
It is only through greater openness that we can be able to make
greater impact on the campaign of prevention. It is difficult to
destroy a silent and unseen enemy. When people are open about the
disease, they would be more receptive to positive messages.
Also important in this campaign, is for us not to lose hope. To
succeed, the "Siyayinqoba - Beat It" series we are launching today
should give hope to millions of our people who are living with the
disease, and also to their families and loved ones who have to take
care of them.
Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome this joint venture between SABC
Education and the Community Health Media Trust. It is a meaningful
contribution to a noble and critical campaign.
We wish all the partners well with this programme, and trust that
it will attract sizeable audiences given its subject matter.
We must reiterate that the media has a critical role to play in the
fight against HIV and AIDS, and we recognise and commend the role
that the SABC is already playing in this regard.
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