Premier Mabuza commits to lead Mpumalanga AIDS Council
22 April 2013
Premier David Mabuza has personally committed himself to oversee the functionality of the Mpumalanga AIDS Council.
Premier Mabuza made the announcement on Friday [19 April 2013] in Secunda after receiving a memorandum from more than 100 Treatment Action Campaign [TAC] members who marched to the Plenary Meeting of the South African National AIDS Council [SANAC] which was chaired by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Amongst the marchers, there were also members of the National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS [NAPWA].
The Premier, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and the Deputy President held a brief meeting with TAC members. Premier Mabuza conceded that the Mpumalanga AIDS Council was dysfunctional after it was delegated to the former health MEC.
Mabuza said there was “no need for march and pointing fingers” except that government needed to work together with civil society in the fight against the dreaded disease.
“I am accepting the challenge, and I want to agree with you that our council has not been visible enough. I am personally taking over the leadership of the council so that together we strengthen our efforts of dealing with the scourge.
“You are spot on, your concerns are valid. I want to commit the provincial government that we are going to put our house in order. We are faced with a daunting of dealing with the scourge, we cannot afford to pin-point, but rather to work together. Government cannot win this war alone, we need everybody to play their role," said Mabuza.
The Premier added that government was planning the biggest HIV and AIDS campaign in the province which will be supported by amongst other the traditional leaders.
He said the campaign would include male circumcision, counselling and testing. He called on TAC to partner with the provincial government in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Ms Thobile Maseko of TAC told the Premier that they were recommitting themselves to an on-going collaboration with the provincial government in response to the HIV and AIDS scourge in order to improve the provision of health services in the health care facilities across the province.
“We are gravely concerned that since your inauguration as Premier, you have not taken leadership reigns as it relates to meet the AIDS Council committee. Our concerns are legitimate when considering that this is a province ranking high in terms of HIV and AIDS prevalence.
“We therefore request you [Premier Mabuza] to personally chair the provincial AIDS Council meetings and that all local councils are launched and that they are functioning by June this year,” said Maseko.
The Premier is expected to convene a provincial AIDS Council meeting soon.
Issued by Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Tel: (013) 766 – 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail: zmncwango@mpg.gov.za
