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Launch of Eastern Cape Aids Council
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

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TO ALL MEDIA
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 28 JUNE 2000

LAUNCH OF EC AIDS COUNCIL

The Province of the Eastern Cape is set to take the best ever initiative to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic.On Tuesday July 4 2000 the Eastern 
Cape Aids Council with representatives of all critical role-players will be launched at the State House in Bisho.

The 23-member council is composed of a high-powered representation of the provincial government led by Eastern Cape Premier Rev Makhenkesi 
Stofile and a comprehensive representation of critical role-players and sectors of the society.The government contingent includes six 
Members of the Executive Council viz. Dr Bevan Goqwana for health, Enoch Godongwana for Finance and Economic Affairs, Gugile Nkwinti for 
Local Government and Housing, Ncumisa Kondlo for Welfare, Stone Sizani for Education and Nosimo Balindlela for Sport, Recreation, Arts and 
Culture.Other councilors include representatives of women, youth, labour, business, disabled people, media, hospitality industry, Eastern 
Cape Local Government Association, NGO’s, the religious and legal fraternity, traditional leaders and healers, celebrities, sporting 
community and people living with Aids.

The council will provide advice to the Premier and MEC for Health regarding policies and programmes to promote effective prevention of 
HIV/AIDS, to advance research on HIV/AIDS and to improve the quality of services rendered to those living with the disease.It will also 
serve as an umbrella body to promote partnership against HIV/AIDS and coordination of sectoral responses to the challenge that threatens to 
reverse development gains of decades and centuries and also the existence of the nation.

It is part of the South African government’s strategy of mobilising all rectors of the society to launch a formidable offensive against 
HIV/AIDS, the &#145;Nation Killer’.It brings to reality a strongly held public view that “we cannot afford to fight this epidemic alone in 
our little worlds and in isolated camps, but through partnerships and coordinated responses we can effectively launch a formidable 
offensive against this &#145;Nation Killer’”.

HIV/AIDS essentially is neither the problem of the department of health nor of the provincial or national government, but every sector’s 
problem and subsequently every body’s problem.Further more it is not a problem for just treatment as some would like to believe, but a 
challenge that requires a holistic approach that includes dealing with factors such as poverty, ignorance, gender inequalities and low 
social morals that become a fertile breeding ground for the spread of the virus.

The council is set to deal with such challenges, and various task teams would be set up to deal with certain designated areas within the 
scope of preventing and fighting HIV/AIDS.

Attached please find a list of names and description of members of the EC Aids Council.Note that at the time of making this release the 
name a sport representative was not yet available.

Your coverage of the ceremony, which will include the induction of the council members and a pledge of the Premier and members, would be 
highly appreciated.The function will be between 11:00 and 13:00 on Tuesday next week at the State House in Bisho.

Issued: The Department of Health and the Office of the Premier

Inquiries:1. Kaya Tshikila – Assistant Director: Government Aids Action Plan Programme – 040-6093598 / 083 4913118
 2. Manelisi Wolela – Acting Director: Communications – 040-6392070 /082 4147768

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