PREMIER'S ADDRESS
Programme Director
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen,
ALLOW me, first and foremost, to extend my appreciation for having invited me to this important occasion of the launch of the Emalahleni Youth Centre.
Important because I sincerely believe that the opening of this centre is a milestone, not only for the people of Witbank, but for the region, the province and the country.
I am told that this centre is part of an ambitious drive to promote a positive lifestyle amongst young people. A place where the youth can play and chat about topical issues such as peer group pressure, acceptable social behaviour, deportment, teenage pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and so forth.
There will also be, I am told, a place where young women can voluntarily undergo pregnancy tests as well as HIV testing. But above all it will be a place of fun and learning for the youth. A place where the youth can mount their own defence against a number of social ills that threaten our democracy.
As a group they will also be able to identify and act on the challenges facing our province and our country as a whole. Some of these include unemployment, rising food prices, crime and the spread of diseases. The impact of HIV and AIDS together with TB poses the greatest challenge to us. The impact is exacerbated by the high rate of poverty and illiteracy in the province.
Improving social awareness through education and an
aggressive strategy against these diseases is a priority of this government.
While the HIV/Aids scourge poses a threat to all our people in the province, the
group that is greatly at risk is our youth. Tens of thousands of our young
people have already begun sexual activity and become infected by the HIV virus
out of ignorance. I know many of us have been taught to think of sex as immoral,
dirty or embarrassing, unless it is practiced within the bonds of marriage.
As adults we are not used to talking openly about sex or hearing about sex. We
are not used to talking with children about sexual matters. These aspects of our
culture, that have made us shy about sex, were developed in different times. We
now have a completely new challenge with HIV. It is a new disease that was not
there when our old customs were created.
The arrival of HIV means we have to make some changes to our culture because if we do not make these changes very large numbers of our young people will die and we as adults may do so as well. The reality is not out there. It is here with us. The painful reality is that AIDS is with us. It is real. It is spreading. For to long we have closed our eyes as a nation, hoping the truth was not so real.
The danger is real. Every day we are burying more young people than ever
before who have died because of AIDS. Every day a child suffers and has to learn
to fend for him or herself when a parent dies as a result of this disease.
HIV/AIDS is not someone else's problem. It is my problem. It is your problem.By
allowing it to spread, we face the danger that half of our youth will not reach
adulthood.
I believe, therefore, that it is important for all of us to educate each other about the danger that HIV/AIDS poses. Let us therefore as adults urge all our youth to protect themselves at an early age. And to protect their loved ones against this disease by abstaining from sexual activity as much as possible; by being faithful to their partners or by always using a condom if they are sexually active.
Everyday every night - wherever we are - we must let our families, friends and peers know that they can save themselves and save the nation, by changing the way we live and how we love. We must use every opportunity openly to discuss the issue of AIDS. As people of Mpumalanga and as South Africans, we must pledge to care. Let us join hands fully aware that our unity is our strength.
So as you meet on these premises, as young people and as equals, I hope you will be able to deal with issues that will shape you and make you a better person. I hope you will also find time to discuss ways of helping in community work.
If you do that you will find a deeper sense of fulfillment and you will meet lots of interesting people who will enrich your life beyond what you thought was possible.
You would also be contributing to building a better society where the basic needs of a decent home, nourishment, a quality education and health care are secured for every South African.
Come forward and build a new Mpumalanga. But do so not with anger and bitterness, but with a healing and hopeful heart, with unity and determination to make a more loving province and country.
Help build a better tomorrow with a vibrant spirit of inclusiveness, and say no to racism, sexism, no to homophobia and all forms of bigotry and discrimination. In meeting this commitment, you will not only make a better community, nation and world but a stronger and more fulfilled person of yourself.
With this commitment, let us now join together, united and determined to build a beloved community rooted in a radiant spirit of justice, compassion and love in Mpumalanga and throughout South Africa.
Remember you will be judged, and you will begin to judge yourselves, not only on what you do for yourself and your family, but on the contributions you make to others -- to your country and your communities.
Twenty-first century South Africa belongs to you -- take good care of it.
I thank you.