Pretoria – With the commemoration of World Aids Day around the corner, Cabinet has called on all communities to support, care and accept people living with HIV and Aids.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the chairperson of South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will mark World AIDS Day on 1 December 2014 at Virginia, Lejweleputswa in the Free State province.
The day will be commemorated under the theme “Zero Stigma and Discrimination”.
Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, highlighted that South Africa has made great progress in working towards reaching the goals of the National Strategic Plan for HIV and Aids, TB and STIs 2012 – 2016.
“Unfortunately, stigma and discrimination continues to affect the successful implementation of this strategy and has contributed to a lower uptake of HIV preventative services,” Minister Radebe said during a post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town on Thursday.
He also urged all South Africans to practise safe sex; get tested for HIV at least once a year so as to make informed decisions on preventative measures, treatment, care and support; and for men and boys to take up medical male circumcision services.
Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day
Meanwhile, Cabinet has encouraged all South Africans to participate second edition of the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, on Saturday.
The Departments of Arts and Culture and Sport and Recreation will host the event under the theme: UNITE: One Man, One Nation, One Celebration.
Minister Radebe said communal sports and culture activities both have the power to unite all South Africans.
He said the event is also an opportunity to appreciate the values of former President Nelson Mandela and reflect on ways in which we can continue his legacy.
16 Days of Activism
The country will from 25 November to 10 December 2014 commemorate the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the campaign.
This year’s campaign would be commemorated under the theme “Count me in, Together moving a non-violent South Africa”.
Minister Radebe said through this theme, the campaign aims to continue generating awareness on the protection of women and children.
The theme also focuses more on mobilising men as partners in this campaign to refuse this scourge.
COP 20
From 1 to 12 December 2014, the Department of Environmental Affairs will participate in the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20) and the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CPM10) in Lima, Peru.
Minister Radebe said the Lima Climate Change Conference is critical for the successful conclusion of the negotiation for the 2015 agreement.
He said South Africa’s approved position at the negotiations is aligned to the country’s national interest and the National Development Plan. – SAnews.gov.za
