Chairperson of the NCOP, Mr Amos Masondo;
Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Ms Sylvia Lucas;
Chief Whip of the NCOP, Mr Seiso Joel Mohai;
Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Oscar Mabuyane;
The Acting Premier of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Ms Nomagugu Simelane; 
Leaders of Delegates from Provinces;
The Leadership of SALGA; 
Honourable Members;
Compatriots,

Today we stand on the shoulders of a great giant, Former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who left us exactly on this day 10 years ago in 2013. 

On an occasion such this, we recall his wisdom and tenacity in fighting the apartheid system and dedication to building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society. 

We do not only recall but rededicate ourselves to the vision of our founding president that of building a better life for all!

It is therefore a great honour to deliver the last Annual Address to the National Council of Provinces, for the Sixth Administration, despite it being my first annual address.

While this moment mirrors the end of the 6th Administration, it also provides an opportunity to reflect and contemplate the future of governance in South Africa and the nation.

It is therefore appropriate that you have a theme for this address and debate, ‘The Indispensable Urgency – Accelerating the provision of social services, safety, and the advancement of economic reforms for economic recovery in the interest of the people.’ 

As the theme suggests, the current situation requires immediate prioritisation and acceleration of providing essential social services, ensuring individual safety, and implementing comprehensive economic reforms for a swift recovery. 

These measures are crucial for a sustainable and prosperous future for the people of our country through social policy transformation.

We cannot talk about the progress we have made in shaping the future of our people if we do not reflect on where we come from as a nation. Our journey as a leading political party started back in 1994. 

As an ANC-led Administration, we can unequivocally state that South Africa is in a much better place now than it was 29 years ago. 

According to the 2022 Census Report, we have made significant inroads in undoing the legacy of decades of apartheid spatial planning and its consequences on the lives and livelihoods of South Africans. 

We have accelerated the provision of social services over the past few years by investing in education, healthcare, housing, water and sanitation, among other things. We have achieved progress in the following areas:

●    Children have had more access to learning opportunities, with six out of ten children aged 0-4 years having access to some form of early childhood development (ECD) program;
●    The percentage of persons aged 20 years and older who completed secondary education more than doubled from 16,3% in 1996 to 37,6% in 2022;
●    The prevalence of disability has declined from 7,4% to 6,0% between 2011 and 2022;
●    In 2022, over 82,4% of households in the country had access to piped water either inside their dwellings or inside their yard;
●    Access to electricity has risen to 90% of the country’s residents, up from 58% in 1996.

Although this is expected as standard practice, the progress achieved in recent years indicates that efforts to ensure adequate access to social services have been accelerated. 

Honourable Chairperson,

We cannot over-emphasise the above progress and other significant inroads our government has made in changing the lives of our people for the better without acknowledging the contribution of Parliament, especially the role of our Delegates in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), which is constitutionally mandated to ensure that the interests of our communities, where they reside/live, are well represented at National level. 

Parliament has put in several mechanisms in the Rules of the National Assembly, the NCOP, and Joint Rules of Parliament to ensure that the Executive is held to account. Some of these mechanisms involve questions for oral and written replies by the Executive, oversight visits, public participation in legislative processes, and NCOP Provincial Weeks. 

Using these mechanisms, the Executive can intervene and quickly respond to identified service delivery hotspots through targeted Service Delivery Improvement Plans. 

The National Council of Provinces further uniquely promotes the principles of Cooperative Government and Intergovernmental Relations. In this regard, the President has delegated me to assist him in implementing the District Development Model (DDM) by coordinating different spheres of government to develop One Plan at the District level to improve service delivery challenges faced by our Municipalities. 

We seek to reconfigure the design, planning, and implementation of service delivery through the District Development Model. We seek to change the relationship between the spheres of government, the communities they serve, and the stakeholders they need to work with.

We have amended legislation to improve accountability and reduce corruption in local government, including adopting a Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Service. 

Whilst we ensure that the three spheres of government work together in performing their unique functions as provided by the Constitution, it is equally important to prevent the encroachment of various spheres of government in each other’s area of competence.

Honourable Chairperson,

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate this House for working tirelessly to contribute to implementing the Manifesto of our Governing Party, which is the African National Congress, particularly by ensuring that critical legislation is prioritised, processed and passed. 

As of 24 November 2023, the 6th Parliament has passed 119 Bills from 2019 to date. In our view, Parliament has done very well in processing priority legislative proposals, considering interruptions by July 2021 unrests, the unfortunate burning of the National Assembly, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 29 March 2023, the Cabinet approved 42 Bills in the 2023 Legislative Programme, and as of Friday, 25 November 2023, twenty-two (22) Bills have already been introduced to Parliament. 

As of 30 November 2023, there were 17 Bills before NCOP Committees, and we remain optimistic that all of these critical Bills will have been passed by the end of this Administration.

As part of our delegated responsibility as the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, we will continue to engage Presiding Officers of Parliament, particularly the Chairperson of the NCOP, on several critical matters of Executive Accountability and those relating to the processing of key legislative proposals. 

We further call upon all stakeholders, including business, civil society, inside and outside NEDLAC, and more importantly, political parties, to take advantage of Parliamentary processes like public hearings, petitions, written proposals, and other consultative fora to deposit their views, complaints, and most importantly progressive proposals that will contribute to seamless processing of legislative proposals, as delays in passing of critical Bills, affects the provision of basic services. 

Honourable Chairperson,

The sixth administration committed to transforming the economy along a developmental growth path to create decent jobs. Shortly after making this commitment, the world experienced one of the most tumultuous and challenging periods in recent history: the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a devastating impact on every aspect of our lives.

Due to COVID-19, our nation has experienced over 2 million job losses and the closure of several businesses. 

We also experienced the violence of the July 2021 riots, where over 350 people tragically lost their lives, and significant damage was caused to our economy.

Just as the world began to emerge from the pandemic, we were confronted by the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and adverse weather events caused by climate change. 

However, despite all these challenges, over the past five years, the ANC government, in collaboration with labour, business, and civil society, has focused on building and growing an economy that serves all South Africans. 

This includes implementing income assistance measures for workers and the jobless, significantly impacting their lives and families.

The Temporary Employment Relief Scheme (TERS) provided wage subsidies to 5.7 million workers, minimising the impact of job losses and company closures. 

The R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD grant) benefitted nearly 10 million unemployed people, mainly young people and women. 

Whilst more than 16.3 million people are employed in our country, unemployment remains unacceptably high, with 8 - 10 million people, on the expanded definition of unemployment, being without a job.  

In light of this, we have established the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which has benefited over 1.2 million people, particularly women and youth, through public employment programs like the Community Works Programme (CWP) and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). 

As government, we aim to stimulate job creation by expanding private sector investment, with an initial target of R1.2 trillion over five years. Over R1.5 trillion in investment commitments have been mobilised, exceeding this target.

Many of these investment pledges translate into real jobs and accelerate economic recovery in the people's interest. 

Honourable Delegates, 

Load-shedding remains a stubborn challenge in our efforts to grow the economy. Load-shedding has adversely affected the economy, people’s overall quality of life, and the safety and security of citizens.

To this end, the ANC-led government continues implementing the Energy Action Plan to end load shedding and achieve energy security. The plan includes five key pillars:

1.    Fix Eskom and improve the availability of existing supply
2.    Enable and accelerate private investment in generation capacity
3.    Fast-track the procurement of new generation capacity from renewables, gas and battery storage
4.    Unleash businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar
5.    Fundamentally transform the electricity sector to achieve long-term energy security

Honourable Chairperson,

We remain unwavering in our commitment to opening the doors of learning for everyone. For example;

●    We have made significant strides in enhancing Early Childhood Care, providing nearly 100% attendance for children until the age of 15; 
●    The number of learners who passed matric increased from 78% in 2019 to 80% in 2022, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and load-shedding; 
●    The performance of learners from poorer schools is also improving, with the share of bachelor passes in no-fee schools increasing from 55% in 2019 to 64% in 2022;
●    The number of students receiving NSFAS funding from poor and working-class backgrounds increased from 580,000 to 770,000 between 2018 and 2021. 

Moreover, health care is provided for over 50 million South Africans without private health insurance, ensuring that South Africans can rely on the healthcare system.

To improve access to health care through the focus on primary health care, the ANC-led government has constructed 1,749 clinics and 56 hospitals since 1994 to enhance primary health care access.

However, there is still significant inequality in access to quality health care. As a result, the ANC government will continue to engage key stakeholders, including organised business and labour, to find amicable solutions on critical areas that may hinder the passing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill to enable every South African to receive appropriate standardised quality health care regardless of their ability to pay.

The NHI Bill is currently before the NCOP; having received enthusiastic support from most participants during the public hearings in Provinces, we remain optimistic that the NCOP will allow stakeholders to develop progressive solutions towards finalising this important Bill. We are a democracy anchored on dialogue and finding one another no matter the difficulty.  

Honourable Delegates,

Between 1994 and 2019 - 3, 2 million free houses were built, benefiting millions. This has meant a massive extension of home ownership, growing the productive assets of our people. 

During the 6th Administration, through the Integrated Residential Development Programme, the government delivered more than 8,245 social housing units in identified areas, more than 19,000 affordable first home finance houses, more than 198,000 RDP houses and serviced more than 183,700 serviced sites. In addition, the government handed over close to 100,000 title deeds to households and families.

Nearly 18.6 million South Africans - up from 2 million in 1999 - receive social grants, including 8.4 million receiving R350 monthly Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant introduced for the unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While there is widespread support for this Social Relief Distress grant, there are concerns that many deserving people are excluded from the grant and that the value of SRD has not kept up with inflation. As the ANC Government, we will tackle these exclusions and ensure that the value of the grant is reviewed. 

Honourable Delegates,

In 1994, only 6 out of 10 South Africans had access to clean drinking water. That figure has increased to nearly 9 out of 10 South Africans today. 

Today, two out of three South Africans have access to flushed toilets, and 8 out of 10 have improved sanitary facilities. 

These measures have enhanced millions of South Africans' quality of life and dignity.

We remain committed to eradicating the indignity of bucket toilets, with the number of municipal bucket toilets declining from over 230,000 in 2004 to around 43,000.

Building Safer Communities 

As we meet here today, we are aware of the impact of crime on the lives of our fellow citizens. We all need to feel safe in our homes, schools, workplaces, places of recreation and streets. 

We reiterate that gender-based violence has reached crisis proportions, affecting every community and touching the lives of most families. On the 25th of November, I was honoured to launch the 16 Days of Activism Campaign on No Violence Against Women and Children. 

Various actors have made concerted efforts, including the National Men’s Parliament through the Takuwani Riime Programme, which fosters discussions among men about dealing with the scourge of GBVF in our communities.

GBV and Femicide, along with high levels of crime, pose a severe threat to the freedom and dignity of South Africans. The development of the Comprehensive National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Prevention and the Integrated Femicide Strategic Frameworks signal a holistic approach to turning the gender-based violence tide.  

Subsequently, we have strengthened the response of our criminal justice system to GBVF and improved the support provided to survivors through legislative reform, increasing the number of places of safety and a range of other mechanisms. 

In broader efforts to prevent crime, government continues to invest in the upgrading and building of police stations, as well as the purchasing and maintenance of vehicles. There is also a move towards greater use of technology for crime prevention, including surveillance cameras and drones in public spaces.

During this past financial year, 10,358 new South African Police Service members were enlisted, thus enhancing the capacity of SAPS to fight crime. 

The security cluster is taking action to deal with the scourge of illegal mining that destabilises and terrorises our communities and undermines our economy. 

His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the Minister of Home Affairs officially launched the Border Management Authority, which will help improve our borders' security and deal with illegal migration and the illicit flow of goods.

Our ultimate aim is to see a safe and secure South Africa with less violence against women and children and an overall decrease in crime.

Honourable Chairperson,

Steps have been taken to strengthen the link between the ordinary people on the ground and state institutions at all levels of government.

South Africa has, since 1994, consistently held regular, free and fair elections. As a government, we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the integrity of this democratic exercise even beyond 2024. 

We have also introduced measures to tackle state corruption and patronage, including oversight visits by Parliament and Legislatures, spot checks in departments, investigations by our Chapter 9 institutions, and measures such as lifestyle audits of public servants and stopping public servants from doing business with the government.

Having strengthened the audit process over the years, we have seen significant improvements in municipalities, provinces and institutions obtaining clean audits. Considerable strides have been made in the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, with other provinces performing better. 

The fact that clean audits are increasingly being obtained is commendable. Clean, ethical and transparent governance is the bedrock of strengthening social services and accelerating development. 

Honourable Chairperson, 

We continue to implement a range of measures to build social cohesion, some of which include increasingly introducing indigenous languages in public schools, with over 2,400 targeted in this term of government. This aims to foster a greater understanding of different cultures between learners and break down cultural barriers. 

On 15 March 2023, the National Assembly passed the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Speech Bill. The NCOP Select Committee on Security and Justice recently adopted the Committee Report on the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. 

The finalisation of this Bill will mark a significant step towards the protection of all South Africans against hate crimes and hate speech, particularly those based on race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.

As I conclude, the NCOP is critical in strengthening democracy in our communities towards an equal, prosperous, non-racial and non-sexist society.

We should all work together to address the collapse of many municipalities, which has had a devastating impact on citizens who must, daily, deal with sewerage spills, water shortages, uncollected garbage, countless potholes, unmaintained cemeteries, and inaccurate billing.

I urge you to continue playing your part to ensure that Provinces are given an influential voice in the national legislative process.

I thank you.

At the invitation of His Grace Comforter FLG Modise of the International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC), His Excellency Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Sunday, 18 June 2023, attend the 30th Annual IPHC Graduations and Thanksgiving ceremony at the church’s Headquarters in Zuurbekom near Westonaria in Gauteng.
 
The Graduations and Thanksgiving ceremony takes place annually on and around the annual Youth Day Thanksgiving. In 1992, His Grace Comforter FS Modise proclaimed that “… ka moso, e tla re he re re ngwana wa kereke ye ha a rutega e be at least a nale Matric… ke yona better future ya rona…”
 
This is in line with the Deputy President’s delegated function of promoting social cohesion initiatives and nation-building across all sectors of South African society.
 
“Churches remain an important pillar in our societies and are paramount in our efforts to promote peace, unity and stability in the country.  As part of the Youth Month, it is important that we pray for an end of all forms of socials ills facing especially young people,” said Deputy President Mashatile.
 
Details of the visit are as follows:
 
Date: Sunday, 18 June 2023
Time: 12h00 (media to arrive at 11h30)
Venue: [Silo IPHC Headquarters ] Plot 615, 5th Street Zuurbekom 1787, near Westonaria, Gauteng. Satellite Coordinates -26.295647,27.754254
Dress Code: Men – Semi-formal (Jacket is mandatory)
Women – Skirt/dress (Headgear mandatory)

Media enquiries: Mr Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 081 307 9233, Ms Linah Ledwaba (The Presidency) on 066 240 7635, Priests Edward M Makwana on 083 717 3184, Levy Msiza 078 932 5592 and Mme Lethabo Kgolane 071 0776751

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Chief Apostle, Professor Caesar Nongqunga;
Mr. Austin Nongqunga, President of the Church
The Church Presidency
Premier of the Eastern Cape, Honourable  Mr Oscar Mabuyane;
uKumkani uNdlovuyesizwe nabanye okukmkani neenkosi ezikhoyo
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Dlomo;
Members of Parliament Mr. Vuyo Zungula and Mrs Marawu;
Religious Leaders present;
Fellow congregants;
Siyanibulisa kule nkonzo ebaluleke kangaka yombulelo.
 
I was glad when they said, “Let us go to the house of the LORD”. I am certain that most of you are familiar with these holy words from the holy book of Psalm 122:1.
 
So, I, too, was overwhelmed with joy when Chief Apostle Professor Caesar Nongqunga invited me and my wife to participate in this international Thanksgiving ceremony. When I spoke to you on the phone the other day, I felt a connection with you, I am pleased that you have given me an opportunity to come and worship with you and the members of the Twelve Apostle Church of Christ.
 
Chief Apostle, I am here as a child of a Bishop and a Sunday school teacher. I grew up in Church. I am also here because I belong to an organisation formed by Priests, Apostles, the Church and the Traditional leadership of our country.
 
I believe that we should always express gratitude to God not because everything is in order but because we recognise the significance of our existence and know that such gratitude elevates us to a place of humility and joy, which is how God desires us to live each day.
 
Hence, it is written in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
 
Brethren,

We are here today to give thanks because we believe God has bigger plans for our nation and that the Almighty is looking down on our country with excellent intentions and plans to benefit and make us great despite the difficulties we may be experiencing.
 
Despite our difficulties, we have much to be grateful for as a nation. We have achieved democratic freedom, which entails the freedom to practice any religion without fear of persecution among others.
 
Collectively, we can agree that South Africa is a better place than it was three decades ago.
 
Despite the significant progress our great nation has undeniably made over the years, it is of utmost importance to conscientiously acknowledge that we have not yet fully attained our desired goal, including complete economic freedom for our people.  
 
Chief Apostle,

Together with the church, we want to establish an atmosphere favourable for growth and development in our nation. We urge all government, business, and interfaith leaders to unite to build a better for all.
 
We can never divorce the church from politics and the concerns that face our society. When the country was in despair, you were a beacon of hope. You were a part of the massive effort to liberate South Africa.
 
We will always cherish the support from the church during the bleakest period in our nation's history. You were instrumental in offering assistance and refuge to those who opposed apartheid. You provided a sanctuary and aid to activists and those subjected to government brutality.
 
Chief Apostle, Professor Caesar Nongqunga;

The role of the Church in building a better society did not end when we attained our democratic freedom. You have an important role to play in fighting social ills and uplifting the underprivileged in our communities, pushing for improved quality of life for all individuals.
 
We deeply appreciate the church's support of our responsibilities to fulfil our governmental role in addressing the challenges facing society.

It is widely acknowledged that social cohesion is a fundamental element of each society, necessitating the active participation of every member in the joint goal of establishing a cohesive community.
 
We must steadfastly persevere in our collective efforts to promote a spirit of inclusivity amongst all individuals, regardless of the diverse tapestry of our racial, religious, or cultural origins, for in the divine gaze of the Almighty, we are all the same.
 
Without your cooperation as interfaith leaders, I will not be able to successfully carry out my assigned role of promoting social cohesion. As a government, we need interfaith and traditional leaders to strengthen relationships and the sense of solidarity among community members.
 
We need you to be part of our initiatives to fight gender-based violence in our society and promote equality. We need you to be the voice of women and children who are abused. We need you to be the refuge and defender of women's and children’s rights.
 
We must speak against sexual violence and rape of young children and women. We must not be silent when we witness acts of abuse or rape against women and children by our brethren or family members. It is the Christian thing to do!
 
Fellow worshippers, we must work together to address access to quality education, poverty, unemployment, drug and substance abuse, crime, corruption, lack of housing, teenage pregnancy, and high HIV infection among young people.
 
On Friday the 1st we observed World Aids Day under the theme, "Let Communities Lead", we should all redouble our efforts and invest in community-led interventions and community-centred approaches in responding to the HIV epidemic.
 
As modern churches, we should be aware that teaching about sex is not taboo. We should teach our children to wait until the right time. We should teach them about safe sex.
 
We strongly encourage the church, in its capacity as a moral and social leader, to engage in a collaborative effort with us to effectively tackle any societal difficulties. The government relies on you as the religious sector to point out mistakes in a constructive manner and recommend solutions.
 
There is an open-door policy in my office, so you can come in whenever you want to talk about the problems you are having and how to fix them.

As we move forward, let us continue to work together, hand in hand, to build an inclusive and harmonious South Africa for all.
 
As 2024 draws near, we urge the church to educate the congregants about the value of voting. We also ask that you pray for a peaceful election and for our nation to continue to uphold and defend its democratic system.
 
Let me conclude by pleading with you to keep playing a constructive role in society as a church through your spiritual teachings and social initiatives that have assisted in the healing process and the restoration of national unity.
 
Lastly, Chief Apostle Nongqunga, we congratulate you on this Thanksgiving celebration.
 
We wish the church the best and that it will grow and prosper.

Igama leNkosi MaliBongwe!

Co-Programme Directors - Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and Provincial Civil Society Chairperson, Mr Patrick Mdletshe,
Our gracious host - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who is also the Chairperson of the Provincial Council on AIDS,
Minister of Health - Dr. Joe Phaahla,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers present,
SANAC Co-Chairperson and Chairperson of the SANAC Civil Society Forum - Ms. Steve Letsike,
Deputy Chairperson of the SANAC Private Sector Forum - Dr. Tshegofatso Gopane,
The UN Resident Coordinator - Mr Nelson Muffuh,
The Patron of Global Alliance South Africa Chapter - Ms Humile Mashatile
The United States Ambassador to South Africa - Dr. Reuben Brigety, and the rest of the esteemed US Government delegation,
Representative of COSATU - Mr Pat Mphela;
SANAC CEO - Dr. Thembisile Xulu,
Traditional and Religious leaders present,
All the children who have joined us today,
Members of the media,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Sanibonani eMandeni! Ninjani!

Today, we join the world to commemorate World AIDS Day. This day provides us with an opportunity to strengthen our solidarity and unity of purpose in the fight against HIV, to support those living with HIV, and to remember those who succumbed to AIDS-related illnesses.

This day also serves as a reflection on progress made in response to the HIV epidemic and raises awareness about the challenges remaining towards achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

The theme for this year's commemoration is "Let Communities Lead". This theme urges all of us as stakeholders, and communities to redouble our efforts and invest in community-led interventions and community-centred approaches in responding to the HIV epidemic.

This theme also encourages communities to address inequalities such as poverty, discrimination, and inadequate access to services, particularly for vulnerable communities like women, transgender persons, sex workers, persons with disabilities, and children.

Communities must actively participate in strategic interventions to combat stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations affecting individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

History demonstrates that when communities unite, any challenge can be overcome. Our combined strengths can help us achieve the goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as public health threats.

Active civil society participation has been crucial in the HIV response globally and in our country, leading to significant progress in areas like access to prevention, treatment, care, and support, as well as outreach for vulnerable populations.

An additional area that necessitates strong oversight from civil society is the pervasive problem of gender-based violence and femicide, the correlation of which is universally recognised with HIV.

In this regard, in the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to interact with men during the National Men’s Parliament in Limpopo Province on issues related to gender-based violence and femicide.

I stand here deeply encouraged by the efforts of the Takuwani Riime Men’s Movement which is coordinated by the SANAC Men's Sector, and has demonstrated commitment to establishing community men's parliaments in every village, township, suburb, and community in South Africa, thus ensuring a responsive men's movement.

This movement seeks to mobilise men and boys to stand up and be counted in the country’s efforts against mental health in men, gender-based violence and femicide, new HIV infections, and toxic masculinity, and for men to be drivers of the positive socialisation of the boy child.

We also recently launched the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in Mpumalanga Province. As government, we urge communities to work with us in eradicating the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in our society. We should work together to get rid of patriarchy, economic inequality, insensitive social norms, and harmful cultural practices. The scourge of gender-based violence is detrimental to our efforts towards the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals, as well as to our very own National Development Plan.

Fellow South Africans,

One of the key build-up activities for this year’s World AIDS Day was the launch of the sixth South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behavioural Survey done by the Human Sciences Research Council.

According to this survey, there are about 7.8 million people living with HIV in our country, which is a decrease from 14% in 2017 to 12.7% in 2022.

While the results clearly show that the prevalence of HIV is declining, there are some worrying patterns regarding the age group between the ages of 25 and 49 years. Among females, HIV prevalence was highest in ages 35 to 39 years at 34.2%, whereas among males, HIV prevalence was highest in ages 45 to 49 years at 27.1%.

Furthermore, there is reason for concern about the increased incidence of HIV infection among adolescent girls aged 15 to 19, since it is an indication that older men engage in unprotected sexual activities with girls and young women.

We must take extraordinary measures as a society to protect kids against immoral predators.

We must ensure that children have a safe environment to discuss the issues influencing their sexual conduct and the pressures they are under.

We must stand with them and educate them about their rights and sexual health.

Furthermore, while acknowledging the significant advancements in HIV treatment cascades at a broad level, our deepest concerns persist regarding the lack of access to treatment by HIV-positive children, young people, and men.

The survey shows that, in 2022, among the people aged 15 years and older who were living with HIV in South Africa; 90% of them were aware of their status; 91% of those who were aware of their status were on antiretroviral therapy, and 94% of those on treatment were virally suppressed.

We may not have met the 90-90-90 targets of December 2020, but we are confident that we will meet the 95-95-95 targets of December 2025, and be well on our way to fulfilling our commitment towards Agenda 2030.

In this regard, we launched the new National Strategic Plan for 2023 – 2028 earlier in March this year during World TB Day. This National Strategic Plan places people and communities at the centre of its efforts to overcome inequities in the country's response to HIV, TB, and STIs and to end AIDS.

Since the Districts of King Cetshwayo, Ugu, uMkhanyakude, and uMzinyathi were the first districts in the nation to achieve the 90-90-90 targets ahead of schedule in this province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, we are confident that this is a goal that is attainable.

It was in uMkhanyakude where we launched the new cost-effective and client-friendly HIV treatment regimen called "TLD”, which is one tablet once a day, with fewer side effects and highly efficient in achieving viral suppression. Our primary objective as a government is to integrate all facets of an individual's healthcare into a unified system, ensuring that everyone consistently gets quality medical care.

Another game-changer in our progressive treatment literacy efforts is the integration of the U=U (Undetectable equals Untransmittable) concept into our policy framework.

It simply means that, if a person takes their treatment consistently without fail, they will achieve ongoing viral suppression until the level of the virus drops to below 50 copies per millilitre. At that point, you are classified as having an undetectable viral load, indicating that you cannot pass the virus on to your sexual partner.

However, we advocate for safe sex since being undetectable will not prevent you from passing on a sexually transmitted infection to your partner or having an unplanned pregnancy.

As a country, we are struggling with retaining people on treatment, which is the second 95, however, U=U is one of the key interventions that will assist us with treatment initiation and retention.

It will also encourage people living with HIV to strive for an undetectable viral load status, thus enabling them to enjoy a longer, healthier life by combating stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

Stigma and prejudice can be as traumatic as the illness itself, leading to partner or family rejection, social marginalisation, school expulsion, denial of medical services, a lack of care and support, and violence.

We encourage our community leaders to engage our communities in order to alter societal attitudes and customs, some of which are influenced by our upbringing.

Fellow South Africans,

This year's World AIDS Day commemoration revolves around the launch of the South African Chapter of the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030, which is led by the Alliance's national patron, Ms. Humile Mashatile.  

As I mentioned earlier, we are concerned with HIV treatment gaps in children. Children living with HIV aged 15 years and below are left behind in the global HIV response when compared to the general population.

Globally, only 52% of children who are living with HIV are on lifesaving treatment, compared to 76% of the adult population. This has resulted in children accounting for 15% of AIDS-related deaths on an annual basis, despite the fact that only 4% of the total number of People Living with HIV are children.

Stigma, discrimination, punitive laws and policies, violence, and gender inequalities in Eastern and Southern Africa remain some of the barriers that hinder access to treatment, care, and support for women, girls, and children.

Unfortunately, South Africa has the largest population of children living with HIV in the world, and as of June 2023, our treatment coverage for children is alarmingly low, coming in at 67%.

This statistic undoubtedly raises concerns and emphasizes the urgent need for increased efforts and resources to guarantee that every child who is HIV-positive receives the care and treatment they require.

In response to this challenge, and with governments in the lead, UNAIDS has coordinated United Nations agencies, including UNICEF and WHO, as well as other development partners such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund, together with civil society, in the establishment of the Global Alliance to end AIDS in Children by 2030.

The proclamation was first made at the 24th International AIDS Conference held in Canada in 2022. South Africa was among the first twelve countries to join this Alliance. As the South African government, we are determined to fulfill our commitment to end AIDS in children through:

● Strengthening case finding among HIV-exposed infants and children,
● Scaling up the initiation of the TLD regimen to pregnant and breastfeeding women as per the revised clinical guidelines.
● Strengthening regular retesting of pregnant and breastfeeding women,
● Scaling up access to social protection programmes, including; social grants, nutritional support, and early childhood development for eligible children, adolescents, and women living with HIV, and other priority populations for improved access to HIV treatment and other services, and
● Addressing gender-based violence and femicide, sexual assault, and abuse of infants, children, adolescents, and women, including scaling up advocacy for the enforcement of laws and the administration of justice.
I am happy to officially announce that the South Africa Chapter of the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030 is duly launched today!

Collectively, we should strive to ensure universal access to treatment, eliminate mother-to-child transmission, and confront prevailing prejudice and discrimination in order to foster a society that accepts and supports all individuals living with HIV, including our children.

Together, we have the power to end the epidemic of HIV and AIDS.

I thank you.

The SANAC Civil Society Chairperson, Ms. Steve Letsike;
The Hon. Premiers in their capacities as Provincial AIDS Council Chairs;
Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, and all SANAC IMC members;
The Provincial Leaders of Civil Society in their capacities as Co-Chairs of the Provincial Councils on AIDS;
The SANAC Private Sector Forum Chairperson Ms. Mpumi Zikalala;
SANAC CEO, Dr. Thembisile Xulu;
MECs present;
Development Partners;
Esteemed Plenary members;
Media friends,

Good morning!

It gives me great pleasure to warmly greet you all on behalf of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) at this Extended Plenary.

It is an honour to have the opportunity to address such a distinguished and esteemed audience, comprising of individuals who are deeply committed to the cause of combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our beloved nation.

Over the past two weeks, I've had the pleasure of interacting with some communities and other key stakeholders on issues related to gender-based violence and femicide and associated ills such as HIV/AIDS and mental health, among others.

On the 19 November 2023, as led by Parliament, we held a successful National Men’s Parliament and Launch of the Takuwani Riime Programme of Action 2023 -2025 in Limpopo, where we had the opportunity to engage with Traditional Authorities and community members as key stakeholders in our fight against gender-based violence and femicide. I do not need to tell you colleagues about the relationship between gender-based violence and femicide as well as HIV, and I believe you share the same sentiments with me that we must continue to strengthen our efforts in these areas.

We are three days into the 16 Days of activism against GBV campaign, which was launched on Saturday under the theme "Accelerating actions to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: leaving no one behind". The campaign is among other things, aimed at -

●      Highlighting Gender-Based Violence as a pervasive human rights violation;
●      Intensifying awareness raising and advocacy; and
●      Championing the prevention efforts to eliminate the scourge by implementing social behaviour change initiatives.

We must continue to mainstream gender-based violence and femicide issues in the work that we do across sectors. To end this pandemic in our country, we need all hands on deck to educate our communities, stand together and fight this scourge wherever it shows itself. We can change the narrative, but we will only do so if we work together!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe that all of you are mindful that this plenary is taking place exactly three days before the official observance of World AIDS Day on December 1.

World AIDS Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the country's progress towards eliminating HIV as a public health threat, as well as ending TB by the year 2030.

Regrettably, it also provides us with a chance to commemorate the lives lost as a result of conditions related to AIDS.

This year's official commemoration will be held in KwaZulu-Natal, Ilembe District under the theme "Let Communities Lead".

This theme serves as a compelling invitation to allocate resources towards community-led interventions and approaches that prioritise the needs and perspectives of the community.

Therefore, the primary emphasis of this year's commemoration will be on the launching of the multi-sectoral Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030, spearheaded by SANAC.

As it stands, more work still needs to be done to reach the 95-95-95 targets, especially in children at 82-67-67. It is our responsibility as SANAC to ensure that the estimated 36 544 children who still have unknown HIV status are diagnosed and treated.

We hope that, through the work of the Global Alliance, we will indeed end AIDS in children.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As part of our continued efforts to strengthen the SANAC Trust, which is the administrative body of this Council, we are replacing the two vacant posts on the Board. The process is at an advanced stage, and we will announce two new Trustees soon.

The issue of SANAC Trust funding and sustainability continues to be a top priority in my office; in pursuit of this, we have arranged a series of engagements with relevant structures, the most important of which being a meeting with the Minister of Finance.

The Trust remains one of the most critical structures charged with multi-sector coordination of the country's response to HIV, TB and STIs.

Considering the magnitude of our TB and HIV burden, we cannot afford to compromise the work of the Trust. We will do everything in our power to ensure it remains stable to effectively execute its mandate.

As stated by Minister Phaahla during one of our meetings, "SANAC is the conduit through which external funding for the epidemics is channeled – these include the Global Fund and PEPFAR among others. Should the Trust close shop, these donors may lose confidence from investing in South Africa".

The existence of SANAC is also in line with the UNAIDS "Three Ones", which call for One Coordination Structure, One National Strategic Plan and One M&E Framework. If we are serious about ending AIDS in 2030, we must protect the SANAC Trust at all costs.

Shortly after the last Extended Plenary 2023 on World TB Day, we launched the new National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STI: 2023 – 2028. We need to ensure that it is implemented successfully for us to tell a good story come 2030.

As the SANAC Council we should continue to provide leadership and monitor the impact of our programmes and interventions against the three epidemics.

At the March Plenary, we also resolved that all SANAC governance structures from government, civil society and the private sector would recommit and revitalise their structures.

In my capacity as the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, and thus a leader of the government's contribution to the response, I wish to confirm our resolute commitment that all SANAC IMC Ministers and Deputy ministers will retain their positions within the various SANAC governance structures for as long as they remain in their positions within government.

We call upon the other two arms of SANAC, namely the Civil Society Forum and the Private Sector Forum to reaffirm their commitments as well.

On that note, may we have a fruitful meeting.

I thank you.

Programme Directors – Minister Lindiwe Zulu and MEC Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, 
Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities - Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 
Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities - Ms. Nokuzola Tolashe,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers here present,
Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality – Advocate Sepanya-Mogale,
Premier of Mpumalanga – Ms. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane,
Mayors of Mpumalanga present,
Councillors, 
Members of the Media, 

Good Afternoon, Sanibonani, Lotjhani!

Let me begin by thanking the Minister and Deputy Minister of the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities for organising this event and also for their tireless commitment to the protection of women & girls and gender equality more broadly. It is through your activism and those of many present here that we can, as a country, say that the democratic government has prioritised women’s gains. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

For the past 32 years, the 25th of November has been marked as the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, with Violence against Women and Children (VAWC) being a central focus. 

As South Africa, we have participated in this campaign for 25 years. It is important that we, at this stage, emphasise that this period is not merely ceremonious for us. As a government and as a nation, we remain committed to ending the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide. We will not rest until our communities are safe for all, especially women and girls. 

To mark this important anniversary, the 2023 Campaign under the theme "Accelerating actions to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: leaving no one behind" is aimed to achieve the following:

1. Highlight Gender-Based Violence as a pervasive human rights violation;
2. Intensify awareness raising and advocacy; and
3. Champion the prevention efforts to eliminate the scourge by implementing social behaviour change initiatives.

We aim to raise awareness about the devastating impact that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) has on women and children and the social fabric of our society.

This is also an opportunity for all of us to renew our commitment to reclaiming our streets and creating a society where women and children are safe and secure. 

Understanding the interconnectedness of the socio-economic issues in South Africa, this 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign seeks to interface the issues pertaining to "Safe access to clean water for women: a basic human right" as championed by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

This sub-theme underscores the link between water and violence against women and children, emphasising the need for immediate action to ensure safe access to clean water, a fundamental human right, especially for women who are mainly responsible for domestic work and managing households.

Furthermore, the socio-economic status of women makes them vulnerable to sexual exploitation when people in positions of power seek to extract sexual favours in return for water.

It is because of the scourge of GBVF that manifests itself in these ways that water management and service investment are crucial for poverty eradication, long-term economic development, and reducing GBVF susceptibility.

I am happy to have had the opportunity to visit some of the places that show how water resources can be used to empower women. I also want to take this opportunity to encourage the Minister and the Department of Water and Sanitation to continue to make clean water accessible to rural areas. As a government, we must ensure that all enjoy this basic human right.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Gender-Based Violence and Femicide occurrences are not isolated incidents. They are systemic issues deeply rooted in patriarchal norms and gender inequality. It is important to acknowledge that GBV is a global phenomenon rooted in the fabric of every society, every culture, and every community, regardless of class, race, or socio-economic status.

On the 19th of November, on International Men’s Day, we launched the Takuwani Riime Programme of Action for 2023 – 2025 in Limpopo. This programme encourages men to take a position to address the many gender-related issues plaguing modern society. 

This Programme acknowledges that eliminating GBVF will require rejecting all forms of violence, no matter how ingrained in custom or how widely accepted they may be. To contribute to the work of addressing GBV, the programme led by the National Men’s Parliament has declared Wednesday as a day when men in all wards come together to discuss and learn about their role in combatting GBVF. It is encouraging to see men keen to learn and unlearn certain beliefs and practices towards ending this scourge. 

We are committing as society, as men and government, because as of the 2022/2023 fiscal year, almost 53,900 South Africans reported being a victim of a sexual crime. 

With 4,726 rape incidents reported to have taken place at either the home of the rape victim or the home of the perpetrator, which is known to the victim, such as a family member, a friend, or a neighbour.

It is also disheartening to note that 293 innocent children have also tragically lost their lives, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. It is mortifying to mention that during the same period, a total of 361 incidents of attempted murder and 1,820 cases of assault causing grievous bodily harm were tragically inflicted upon innocent children.
We must put an end to this! 

This we must do because, as a society, we bear equal responsibility to the perpetrators if we remain ignorant of the infringement of women's freedom by male acquaintances, relatives, and colleagues, as well as those who exploit young women sexually and gloat about sleeping with young girls. 

We must report and condemn the perpetrators who reside within our communities.  Those who violate the rights of women and children should never be granted forgiveness without the application of appropriate punishment.

People of South Africa,

Since the dawn of democracy, this government has consistently shown commitment to addressing GBV by implementing legislative, policy, and other measures to advance equality and empowerment for women, children, and people living with disabilities. 

For example, recently, we passed six pieces of legislation related to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, and the ongoing implementation costing exercise underscores our commitment to ending GBVF. 

One significant milestone is the recent assent of President Cyril Ramaphosa to crucial legislative reforms, which are;
  
• the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill;
• the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill, and 
• the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill

This month marks a historic milestone with the passing of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill by the National Assembly. The establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, underpinned by this robust legislative framework, is an urgent and critical task.

In addition, we have established and capacitated the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at provincial and local levels to end the pandemic.

This includes the development of the Comprehensive National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Prevention and the Integrated Femicide Strategic Frameworks, which signal a holistic approach to turning the Gender-Based Violence tide. 

The National School of Government's (NSG) effort to impart knowledge through a dedicated online course covering gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive planning and budgeting exemplifies our commitment to mainstreaming women's and girls’ priorities. 

The existence of the Intersectional Shelter Policy, the Psycho-Social Support Services (PSSS) Policy, and the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre, which is a 24-hour helpline, demonstrates our resolve to provide essential services and support to survivors.

Provinces are identifying and refurbishing underutilised buildings for shelters and interim housing. The Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) are being expanded, with three new centres established. 

Our initiatives primarily focus on bolstering women’s economic empowerment across diverse sectors.

Fellow South Africans,

We would further like to express our appreciation for the efforts by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in combatting GBV and Femicide.  

The recent identification and takedown of 27 sexual predators in the country and the recent sentencing of Mario Giusti to 6,400 years in jail after being found guilty of more than 1,000 charges of child pornography is a step in the right direction.

Witnessing such law enforcement actions is encouraging, and we hope to observe further arrests of this nature in the future.
 
As government, communities, and civil society, we need to do something about the widespread prejudice against homosexuals and the apathy that allows the victims to be "invisible" and denied basic human rights.
  
Moreover, we must understand that sexual violence is not only about sexism. A woman can perpetrate against a man, a man can perpetrate against a woman, and it can happen between same-sex couples as well.

Today, we must recommit ourselves to ending violence against women and children. We have the ability to shape a future in which women and children are safe and their rights are respected. 

I urge men in our communities, to be role models to young boys. Remember, Boys are Born, and Men are Made. As men, we can help develop men in our society who respect women. 

Men who do not see women as objects. 

Men who recognise the equality of women. 

I also urge traditional leaders to intensify their role as community leaders against unfair inheritance practices and GBVF. 

As custodians of our culture, customs, and origin, you must say NO to cultural practices that are harmful to women and children, such as ukuthwala, child muthi killings, witchcraft burning, and many other practices.

Let us join together, leaving no one behind as a community to accelerate actions to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

Thank you.

Link: 
https://youtube.com/live/jiF0GWt9Chk?feature=share
 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will on Tuesday, 20 June 2023, deliver a keynote address during the Opening Session of the 11th South African AIDS Conference, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province.

The 11th SA AIDS Conference scheduled to take place from 20-23 June 2023, will be held under the theme: “Act, Connect and End the Epidemic”, and it brings together the HIV community such as scientists, researchers, social activists, programme implementers, policy makers and most importantly, people living with HIV (PLHIV), to review and reflect on progress made towards HIV/AIDS and TB epidemic control in the midst of pandemics and other global health threats.

In this regard, the conference will also provide a platform for taking stock of the post pandemic South African HIV/AIDS, TB and STIs response and to deliberate on emerging priorities as the country forges ahead with efforts and strategies to eliminate HIV as a public health threat.

SANAC, chaired by Deputy President Mashatile, has played a leading role in championing response programmes in line with the new 2023-2028 National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV, TB, and STIs, through a multi-sectoral engagement which includes government, civil society and the private sector.

The Deputy President will lead the Opening Plenary alongside the SANAC Civil Society Chairperson, Ms Steve Letsike, the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, other government officials and representatives of development partners inclusive of UN Agencies and the African Development Community. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the session as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 20th June 2023
Time: 15h30 (Media to arrive at 15h00)
Venue: Main Plenary Hall, Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
 

Media queries: Sam Bopape (The Presidency) on 082 318 5251 or matome@presidency.gov.za, Foster Mohale (Department of Health) on 072 432 3792 or foster.mohale@health.gov.za and Nelson Dlamini (SANAC) on 078 731 0313 or nelson@sanac.org.za

For comments: Mr Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Lechesa Tsenoli;
Deputy Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, Honourable Tshitereke Matibe;
Our host, Thovhele Nthumeni Masia and all members of the Masia Traditional Council;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers Present;
Premier of the Limpopo Province, Mr Stanley Mathabatha;
Members of Parliament and all Legislators;
Mayors and all Councillors Present;
Traditional Leaders, Religious Leaders, Business Leaders & Organised Labour;
Leaders of the Civil Society Men’s Movement and all Civil Society Leaders Present;
Developmental Partners and the United Nations Family;
The Leadership of organisations working with men and boys;
SANAC Men Sector, Deputy Chairperson, Dr Matome Kganakga;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Avuxeni! Thobela! Ndaa! Ndi Masiari vhathu vhothe!

It is my distinct honour and privilege to be part of this men’s gathering where we will be launching the Takuwani Riime Programme of Action for the period 2023 – 2025, under the theme of “Term of Community Men’s Parliaments”. 

The sitting of this sectoral Men’s Parliament today is a vital step in our ongoing commitment to fostering positive masculinity in our society.

Takuwani Riime is a call for us as men to stand united, in responding to the multiple gendered challenges that exist in our society. 

This national call is aligned with the global calls to end Violence Against Women and Girls, as championed by the African Union and the United Nations.

It is important that we understand violence against women as a global phenomenon, and also appreciate through concerted efforts we can bring an end to this scourge.

We know that Gender Based Violence has negative impacts on the socio-economic status not only of women and girls but on men as well. Ending this scourge is therefore urgent, and critical for our development as South Africa and Africa.

This gathering takes place a week before the African Union’s 3rd Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity under the theme; “Consolidating Commitments Towards the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.”, co-hosted by 2023 AU Chairperson H.E. President Azali Assoumani of the Union of the Comoros, and H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

These gatherings are critical steps in addressing some of the social ills that exist and are perpetuated by patriarchy in our communities.

I am delighted that as men, we have convened today to engage in an open dialogue amongst ourselves, to deliberate introspectively, and tackle the responsibility that we bear in moulding the trajectory of our country's future. 

We are here to say that, we will not sit back and watch the futures of men and women in our country be destroyed by the scourge of violence.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the past few days, I had the privilege to interact with some of the Traditional leaders in the province, and I want to assure them that their concerns will not be ignored by the ANC-led government.  We will continue to collaborate with the Institution of Traditional Leadership on all issues of concern in our society including the issue of land restitution and redistribution.

I wish to also take this opportunity to appreciate the support that our government receives from the Traditional Authorities who play a critical role in the response to Gender-Based Violence.  In our continuous engagements with Traditional Leaders, the issue of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is a key focus area. In this regard, the Department of Social Development provides training to Traditional Leaders and their spouses to further support the work done in this area.

We thank our Traditional Leaders, Faith-Based Organisations, and NGOs for the role they play in fighting this scourge in their communities. The transformation of our society certainly relies on multi-stakeholder collaboration across all sectors.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is indeed our moral responsibility, collectively as men specifically, to have a say in the safety concerns, socio-economic & and political issues that confront our nation.  

We are also currently guided by progressive policies such as the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, and the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs in shaping a safe and healthy future for ourselves.

In anticipation of World Aids Day, we must use this opportunity to highlight the challenges we have with men within the context of our HIV response. HIV prevalence in Limpopo is the highest in men between the ages of 35 and 59. Across the province, new infections are the highest in men between the ages of 20 and 44.

Allow me to say that there is absolutely no need for this, given the extensive HIV education and treatment that the government has provided over the past 19 years. 

As men, we have a role to play in reducing HIV infections by simply enrolling and being consistent in taking treatment and ensuring that we use condoms and freely available preventative measures such as Pre and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (commonly known as PrEP and PEP) among others. 

We must do this to protect not only ourselves but future generations!

Ladies and gentlemen,

Regarding the launch and implementation of the Takuwani Riime Programme of Action, under the oversight of the Men's Parliament. 

I applaud the work that has been done and also urge that the resolutions of this year’s sitting of the National Men’s Parliament should mark an important turning point in the course of the Men’s Movement, as we enter a phase of implementation at the grassroots level.  

We encourage all traditional leaders, religious leaders, ward councillors, principals of educational institutions, and all men from diverse backgrounds to respond to the call of the Takuwani Riime Men's Movement and unite as engaged citizens in the global expansion of a responsive men's movement.
 
Vhanna vha Afrikha Tshipembe,
It is unacceptable that our country has the highest female homicide rate among the five countries with the highest annual murders.

We cannot continue to be silent when 70 lives will be violently ended by the end of today - three children are killed daily, a woman is abused every 63 seconds and eight women are murdered every day in our country.

Like all cases of Gender-Based Violence, the broad daylight stabbing of Ms Sinoxolo Myalo, at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology last week is a tragedy that requires all of us, as men in South Africa, to examine our role in this heinous crime against humanity.

It is imperative that we engage introspectively by asking ourselves important questions that force us to reflect on;
1. How do we as men contribute to the prevalent culture of Gender-Based Violence in South Africa?
2. In what ways have we normalised the culture of Gender-Based Violence through the problematic language of sexist jokes, victim blaming, and rigid gender stereotypes that devalue girls and women?
3. Why do we allow the loss of women's freedom at the hands of our male friends, colleagues and family members who exploit young women through sexual coercion, who boastfully relate stories of date rape, and who won't take no for an answer?

As part of our concerted effort to eradicate societal problems, we must specifically target the pervasive problem of rape against vulnerable groups, such as women with disabilities, children, the elderly, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

There is no denying that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide have reached a tipping point. Government has been responsive to curb GBV and to this effect, from a legislative point of view, President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to:
(i) the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Bill,
(ii) the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill, and
(iii) the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill
While legislation plays a critical role in dealing with violence against women and girls, grassroots interventions that support this process are equally important. 

It is therefore this approach that provides for the Men's Parliament and initiatives such as this one to exist that will enhance our efforts going forward.
The Takuwani Riime Programme of Action recognises that to end GBV, we must dismantle the culture of violence by being intolerant to subtle or socially accepted attitudes, beliefs, and actions that tolerate, excuse, and condone violence.

The Takuwani Riime Programme of Action is thus critical in facilitating dialogue and positive social change. Through the Men’s Parliament, the underlying principle is to ensure mainstreaming, coordination and implementation of coherent men’s movement activities, using the Men Championing Change Programme to address concerns that affect men such as:
• Men lagging behind in educational attainment, particularly in higher education, which can have long-term economic and social consequences.
• Issues such as unemployment, wage gaps and occupational hazards that disproportionately affect men in various sectors.
• Men facing health inequities driven by poor health-seeking behaviour and unique health concerns, including prostate cancer and heart disease.
• Men confronted by stigma around mental health issues, leading to high rates of depression and suicide.

As men, we have to talk about mental health!

South Africa is ranked number 10 on the list of countries with the most suicides with 23,5 people per 100 000 population. Of the 13 774 suicides reported, 10 861 were men, whilst 2 913 were women! 

This is concerning and highlights that as a nation we are faced with a serious problem that, requires as a start, a platform that can facilitate ongoing engagement.

We commend the Takuwani Riime Men’s Movement for the efforts to roll out Community Men's Parliaments, which is the last tier of the Men's Parliament framework extending from national to community settings. 

This inclusive community initiative seeks to create a designated platform in Traditional Councils, Wards, Institutions of Education, and any other self-described community for men to convene on Wednesdays.

The platform will provide a consistent and predictable schedule for men in fostering dialogue, collaboration and resolution of issues that impact them and their communities. It will also allow men to be vulnerable in a society that demands that men be tough. 

Through this platform, we aim to emphasise that, there is no need to endure hardships in silence.

Gentlemen,
As men, we must confront the anguish we have caused on women and children. We need to get together to pause and reflect on the agony, and the heinous physical and mental abuse we have perpetrated on our society.

We have to meet to admit our wrongdoing and deal with the entrenchment of male power, privilege and patriarchy. It is imperative that we assume collective responsibility, establish boundaries, and declare that "enough is enough"!

As we cascade the Men's Parliament to the provincial, district, local, ward, and community levels, we must work to become credible role models for young boys so that they can learn how to become better men.

We also need to hold each other accountable for our actions and behaviours and redefine what it means to be the protector, provider, and caretaker of the family and society in our modern lives.

Let the “Term of Community Men’s Parliaments” be the turning point that redefines the identity of South African men. 

We must be confident in who we are as men, and we must take actions that will help us to create a positive “new normal”. As we prepare as a nation for the 16 Days of Activism against Women and Girls campaign, may today’s session provide us with a collective mandate as men that we will carry out during this period and beyond.

Takuwani Riime! Let us stand together to Institutionalise a Responsive Men’s Movement!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me conclude by taking this opportunity to thank those who dedicated their time to go and register to vote during this voter registration weekend. 

I also urge those who have not yet done so to register at the voting station for the voting district where they live before they close at 17h00 tonight.

It is of utmost importance that every eligible citizen exercises their democratic right and fulfils their civic duty by participating in the electoral process and registering at the appropriate voting station is an essential prerequisite to ensure that one's voice is heard and their vote is counted in the upcoming elections. 

Your voice counts in making our country a better, and prosperous nation.

Ndo Livhuwa.

Due to urgent government commitments, Deputy President Paul Mashatlile is no longer able to attend the opening session of the 11th SA AIDS Conference scheduled to take place from 20-23 June 2023, where he was expected to deliver the Opening Address.

Deputy President Mashatile was scheduled to address the conference today, Tuesday, 20 June 2023, in his capacity as Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC).

The conference provides a platform for stakeholders to take stock of the South African HIV/AIDS, TB and STIs response and to deliberate on emerging priorities as the country forges ahead with efforts and strategies to eliminate HIV as a public health threat.

The Deputy President has requested the Minister of Health to deliver the Opening Address on his behalf.

Enquiries: Mr Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria