Use a condom with each partner, and every time you have sex, Deputy President Baleka Mbete said on Monday.
Addressing the crowd at the World Aids Day commemoration at Durban’s Sahara Stadium, she emphasised that one should ”always use condoms with all your partners”.
Mbete added that having sex while drunk also increased the risk of infection.
”My message to you is to be a leader on HIV and tuberculosis in your home, your school, your workplace and your community.”
Despite the high prevalence of HIV in South Africa, Mbete said there had been significant gains through government’s strategic plan.
”We have the largest ARV treatment programme in the world, and we distribute millions of free male and female condoms across the country.”
She said HIV/Aids and tuberculosis were national priorities which required urgent action.
”Our goal is geared towards halving new infections by 2011.”
Health Minister Barbara Hogan said South Africans needed to work together to save future generations.
”We pledge to urgently scale-up mother to child ARV treatment … it will not be easy, nor will it be worked over one day.”
She challenged all men in the stadium to stand up and vow they would be tested for HIV.
Most of the men adhered to the challenge, including Durban Mayor Obed Mlaba, ANC provincial chairperson Zweli Mkhize, KwaZulu-Natal premier Sbu Ndebele, as well as Congress of South African Trade Unions’ Zet Luzipho and Zwelinzima Vavi.
”As a government, we say we need the help of every citizen to prevent HIV and TB … and together we shall overcome,” said Hogan.
Peter Piot, executive director of UNAids, said more than half a million people in South Africa were alive today because they were receiving antiretroviral treatment.
He said the challenge for South Africa was to ensure treatment for all those living with HIV/Aids.
”When we work together, we can move mountains.”
Premier Sbu Ndebele said all those involved in the fight against HIV/Aids should move out of the boardroom and lead a social movement to spread the message.
He said significant progress had been made in the administration of antiretroviral treatment.
He said the government had increased funding for the HIV/Aids control programme in the province from R40-million in 2001, to R1,2-billion in 2008.
”We have also increased the testing of the number of pregnant women and infants for HIV/Aids from 32% in 2000, to more than 95% in 2007. – Sapa