Media statement on the meeting between President Jacob Zuma and UN Messenger for Peace, South African-born Hollywood Actress Ms Charlize Theron 29 July 2013 President Jacob Zuma has today, 29 July 2013, concluded a successful and thoughtful meeting with the South African-born Hollywood Actress Ms Charlize Theron in Pretoria to discuss issues concerning the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The President and Ms Theron had met in January in Davos, Switzerland, at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum where they agreed to meet in South Africa again. Ms Theron, who has been recently appointed to serve on the important UNAIDS and Lancet Commission: From AIDS to Sustainable Health, was today accompanied by Mr Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. In the meeting President Zuma and Ms Theron extensively discussed and explored methods that could assist to improve the struggle against HIV and AIDS in South Africa and across the continent. The Academy Awards winner pledged to use her civil organisation, Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project to the support South African government in its efforts to enable young women and girls to live healthy, HIV-free lives. President Zuma accepted Ms Theron’s support and vowed that government through the Department of Health and other social partners will work amicably with her to ensure that youth is educated and saved from the lethal disease. “As government we are pleased by Ms Theron’s dedication and commitment in the struggle against this lethal disease and we are ready to work with her organisation to ensure that our people, particularly young people live healthy and HIV/AIDS free lives. “HVI/AIDS remain major problem facing Africa, which has borne a significant burden as a result of the disease. We are therefore inspired by the involvement of personalities like Ms Theron who leave their comfort zone and join hands with world leaders to fight this problematic disease,” the President said. Ms Theron lauded the work done by South Africa in mitigating the impact of the HIV/AIDS and commended President Zuma for his unwavering leadership in fighting the disease. “Those of us involved in advancing the AIDS response are deeply grateful for your personal leadership in making AIDS a priority in South Africa and across African continent. Today the world has the knowledge and the tools to usher in an AIDS-free generation, and save lives of people living with HIV, but it is the sustained and strong leadership like yours that will make this goal a reality,” she said at the meeting South Africa has made significant progress on turning the tide of HIV transmission since 2009 in particular. While we still have a huge burden of disease from this epidemic and its twin, TB, according to the UN agencies that monitor progress. According to UNAIDS, South Africa has achieved a reduction of 12% in just the last two years in the number of new infections - from 430 000 to 380 000 and last year more than 8 million HIV tests were done. However, the country is determined that everyone tests at least once a year. The transmission of HIV from mother-to-child in South Africa had also significantly decreased in the past three years, from a high of 8% in 2010, to 2.7% this year. UNAIDS estimates that between 2009 and 2012, 24 000 fewer children under 15 years of age were born with HIV – this is a 63% decline in new infections in children under 15 in just 3 years. The South African treatment programme is the largest in the world, much of it funded from domestic resources. In March this year South Africa had 2.1m people on treatment. UNAIDS also confirmed that 80% of women who are eligible for treatment, are currently on treatment – this means that we have already met our 2016 goal in this regard President Zuma emphasized that with such achievements South African cannot be complacent. “There is much work to be done and I am sure that working together we will be able to reach our targets of zero new infections, zero deaths and zero stigma from HIV,” he said. Issued by: The Presidency Pretoria
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 09:18:10 +0000