Port Elizabeth - Children from child-headed households in Port Elizabeth were given the opportunity to tell Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe their hopes and dreams earlier today.
Motlanthe visited three-child headed families, during a door-to-door campaign in the KwaZakhele community.
The heartfelt visits, which brought hope to the children, formed part of the programme for the main World Aids Day event, where President Jacob Zuma is expected to address the community and launch a new National Strategic Plan for HIV and Aids 2012-2016.
At one of the houses visited by Motlanthe, a Grade 10 learner said it was his dream to further his studies at a Further Education and Training College. "I want to get an education so that I can take my siblings out of this poverty," the boy said.
At another house, a young boy, who is looking after his siblings, said his dream was to become a medical doctor.
Motlanthe said government would ensure that the kids have access to bursaries to ensure that they are able to achieve their dreams.
"We've got to pick up now and provide support to ensure that he pursues his ambitions," Motlanthe said after the visit.
He noted that when it came to access to care, treatment and support of people with HIV, the country was winning and the only challenge now was to ensure zero new HIV infections.
"Once people are on treatment, they live longer, the challenge is to ensure not to get new infections," said Motlanthe.
The Deputy President was accompanied by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet.
This year's World Aids Day will be celebrated under the theme 'Getting to Zero', which echoes the UNAIDS vision of achieving 'Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths'.
