EXECUTIVE MAYOR MARKS WORLD AIDS DAY

This year’s World Aids Day is observed under the theme Overcoming disruption,
transforming the Aids response. This directly speaks to the massive shift on
attention poured on this health condition as experienced some months earlier. We
experienced a major financial blow when the United States abruptly halted and ended
programs promoting effective response to HIV/Aids due to shutting down funding. It is
important to note and acknowledge how our country leaders from national, provincial
and municipal level have vigorously rolled up their sleeves upon the withdrawal of big
donors which possibly meant a complete collapse of progress made. These
government efforts continue strongly towards closing the big gap left by rescinding of
funds. There has been more international donors coming through to partner with our
programs. This year’s theme also addresses every one of us to never let the social,
financial circumstances around us derail our health and any attention it requires to
remain in good state.

As we reflect on World Aids Day, we can never forget how far we have come as a
country in terms of addressing and massively reducing infection rate. At some point
HIV/Aids was a pandemic in South Africa, being among the leading causes of death
in our communities. Today many do not even think of it as a killer disease because of
the great strides made in the availability and dissemination of world class treatment
which is freely available in all public health systems.
We must never be complacent when still faced with conditions like HIV/Aids which
were once deadly killers in this country. It is critical that we individually know our status,
to respond wisely and safely for oneself and those we live with.
MESSAGE BY THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF EKURHULENI, ALDERMAN
NKOSINDIPHILE XHAKAZA