Winning the fight against HIV/Aids

HOLLYWOOD star and Global Fund Ambassador, Charlize Theron, met with King Goodwill Zwelithini and other dignitaries at the Global Fund dinner with Patrice Motsepe, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize and Queen Thandi at the fund’s dinner at the Oyster Box Hotel last week.

For the first time in recent history, HIV and Aids are showing signs of retreat, with the number of Aids-related deaths is declining.

Dr Zweli Mkhize, Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, expressed his appreciation to the Global Aids Fund for the continuing support.

“The successes in the fight against HIV and Aids can be attributed to the support we have received from many organisations, including the fund. Since we started this term of office in 2009, we have stabilized HIV prevalence in our province from 39.5 per cent to 37.4 per cent,” Mkhize said.

“We have used this meeting with Global Fund to report back on the progress we have made as the province. “Importantly, we reflected on the work of the Provincial Council on Aids. The council has ensured that there is an integrated approach of all the sectors of our sectors of our society in the fight against HIV and Aids,” he added.

King Goodwill Zwelithini has also played a critical role in the fight against HIV and Aids, especially with regard to cultural issues such as reviving surgical and hygienic male circumcision.