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Government, NGO’s and all stakeholders involved in creating awareness on HIV and AIDS should take note.

Young people have called for more intense communication, especially through their preferred medium – the social networking media.

This merged at the annual Ekurhuleni High School Public Speaking finals held at the Alberton Civic Centre on Valentine’s Day. In tackling the topic: “Youth working towards Zero new HIV and TB infections, Zero discrimination & stigmatization and Zero deaths as a result of Tuberculosis and AIDS” a majority of the speakers recommended that the way to go was to increase communication through social networking sites.

According Sylvia Kweza, who was named the winner, much has been said over the years and the youth are exposed to a lot of information, however it can never be enough. She also recommended that instead of destructive social networking, youngsters should make use of these forums effectively in a more positive way.

Second prize winner Bongani Habile - who represented H.B. Nyathi Secondary School in Vosloorus made it clear that the buck stops with individuals. “There must be accountability amongst the youth,” he said.

“We can only achieve change through taking responsible decisions and taking the correct action,” said Thato Sibanyoni from Brakpan High School who took third place. “It is the action that we take after today and even after the National Strategic Plan has been presented that will make us achieve our Zero.”

The third point which was highlighted is the importance of delaying sexual intercourse for teenagers. Habile even went so far as to warn the 500 plus learners who were in the hall that they should: “A-C-P...abstain, condomise or perish.”

Kweza, who is a Grade 11 learner from Thuto-Lesedi Secondary School in Katlehong, recommended that as a society we should focus our efforts on a few basic elements. These include encouraging vaccination for tuberculosis and good hygiene, the use of social media more effectively and involving the youth in planning HIV and AIDS related programmes. She added that her peers should get involved in projects aimed at alleviating poverty and that government should strengthen treatment guidelines.

The competition was run at customer care area level last week where the top 10 out of 139 schools were selected.  It is hosted annually by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in an effort to create awareness among the youth about HIV and AIDS matters during reproductive health month (February).


END

Issued by

Justice Mohale
Acting Media Relations Unit Manager
EMM Spokesperson
083 417 6999/ 011 9990066