Soshanguve - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as Chair of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), participate in the launch of the Religious Leaders’ Dialogue Series and HIV Testing Services Campaign on Thursday, 17 August 2017.

The launch will take place at the Soshanguve Community Hall, Pretoria, at 08h00.

The dialogue series is organised under the theme "Your faith, Your Health". Partners in this initiative are:

•  the South African Network of Religious Leaders living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (SANERELA+);
•  the International Network of Religious Leaders living with or Personally affected by HIV and AIDS(INERELA);
•  The SANAC Civil Society Forum, and 
•  Show Me Your Number HIV Prevention Project. 

The purpose of this engagement is to launch a series of religious dialogues with men and boys with the aim of promoting HIV testing services, and broaden access to healthcare services. In this regard, mobile healthcare services such as HIV Testing, Screening for Diabetes, Blood pressure and TB, will offered to members of the surrounding communities at the launch.   

In addition, it is also a platform to address issues of gender-based violence. The dialogues will further identify religious leaders who will be agents of change to support this course across provinces.

The dialogues will culminate in the presentation of a report to the bi-annual Men’s Parliament named Takuwani Riime that will be hosted in Parliament in Cape Town on 19 November 2017 as part of commemorating International Men’s Day.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be joined by UNAIDS Country Director Dr. Mbulawa Mugabe and the following SANAC Men’s Sector Deputy Chairperson: Dr. Matome Kganakga; Mr Mabalane Mfundisi from the sport, arts & culture sector; actor and founder of AfriMAN Rising campaign Sello Maake ka Ncube; musician Mr Nkosikhona “Khuzani” Mpungose who is an ambassador of the Ubuntu Initiative, as well as various leaders from different civil society sectors.

Media are invited to cover the event as follows:
Date: Thursday, 17 August 2017
Time: 08H00
Venue: Soshanguve Community Hall, Block H

For accreditation please contact:  Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Nelson Dlamini 078 731 0313

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria