Issued by: Department of Social Development
14 September 2001
The Minister of Social Development Dr Zola Skweyiya has said the protection of children from HIV/AIDS and poverty is an essential element to the promotion of human rights as well as the advancement of our democracy.
"It is important that the entire community unites and protects the children from social ills such as HIM/AIDS and poverty if our democracy and human rights are to have meaning. The time has come that all the resources of society must be utilised to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty especially by professionals such as retired nurses and doctors whose experience will further strengthen our efforts," said the Minister.
The Minister was speaking to about 2000 people at Veeplaas Community Hall in Port Elizabeth today (Friday September 14) during an Imbizo which is part of the "Nakekel' Izingane-Yakh" Isizwe" campaign.
Earlier the Minister urged people living with HIV/AIDS to have hope and focus on changing their lifestyles as well as ensuring that they eat nutritious food.
He was addressing people living with HIV/AIDS at the Dorah Ngiza Support Centre in Port Elizabeth.
The Minister also visited the House of Resurrection in Bethelsdorp which houses children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and is registering a lot of success saving infected children through nutrition programmes run by retired nurses.
"I urge the retired nurses working in this centre to replicate their experiences of saving children so that all of us can contribute to a better life for all our children," further said the Minister.
The Minister was completing his second day of a two-day visit to the Eastern Cape which started in East-London yesterday.
Over the next three weeks the Minister will take the campaign to Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Province.
Enquiries: Mr Mbulelo Musi at 0836025795