Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will on Thursday, 1 December 2022 address the World AIDS Day Commemoration. This year’s national commemoration will take place at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State Province.

The World AIDS Day is commemorated annually across the globe to show solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV and also raise awareness about the status of the pandemic to encourage HIV prevention, treatment and care.

The national theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Equalise and Integrate to End AIDS’, and is intended on addressing persistent inequalities that hinder progress against the country’s efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat. These inequalities include exclusion and inadequate access to health services as a result of poverty and against key and vulnerable populations including transgender persons and sex workers among others.

The Deputy President will be accompanied by the SANAC Civil Society Chairperson Ms. Steve Letsike, the Minister of Health Dr. Joe Phaahla, Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela and representatives from development partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Prior to the official commemoration, Government in collaboration with civil society and development partners will participate in the build-up events under the ‘Policy-In-Action’ banner in and around Mangaung.

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa