Estimations continue to suggest that the country records 150 new cases of HIV on a daily basis among young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

According to National Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale, Deputy President David Mabuza is one of the guest speakers scheduled to deliver the keynote address at this event, which will take place at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Rocklands, near Bloemfontein.

Expected dignitaries at the events include Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela and National Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, among others. Mabuza will be addressing the gathering in his capacity as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (Sanac). The commemoration comes as the country continues to record a worrying number of HIV cases among young people. The event will be commemorated through ‘Equalise and Integrate to End Aids'.

The country will express solidarity with those affected and infected by the pandemic as it prepares for the global community's observance of World Aids Day tomorrow, which aims to raise awareness about HIV and Aids.

"It is estimated that 150 new cases are recorded in the country daily, mainly among young people aged 15 to 24. Therefore, we would like to urge and encourage South Africans to regularly have health screening and testing," Mohale added.

The event will also seek to highlight the plight of communities bearing the effects of persistent inequalities that continue to hinder the country’s efforts to end Aids. According to Mohale, "these inequalities include poverty, exclusion and inadequate access to services, particularly by key and vulnerable populations, including transgender persons and sex workers.

"World Aids Day is commemorated annually across the globe to show solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV and also to raise awareness about the status of the pandemic, and encourage HIV prevention, treatment and care. 

"The Deputy President will lead the commemoration alongside the Sanac Civil Society Chairperson Ms Steve Letsike, the Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla, Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela and several local leaders from various sectors. Representatives from development partners, inclusive of UN agencies, the US government, research entities, civil society movements and the private sector, will also be in attendance. The day will commence with Policy-In-Action activities to be attended by leaders from the government and civil society sectors around Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality,"

The event comes after Premier Ntombela addressed the Public Services Commission’s (PSC) event, which targeted the use or abuse of drugs and substances in schools and communities in the province. At this gathering, which was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the PSC's national commissioner, Somadoda Fikeni-Ntombela, shocking statistics about teenage pregnancies in the province were shared. 

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She said girls aged 10 to 14 gave birth to 148 children between April 2020 and March 2021, 147 children from April 2021 to March 2022, and from April until June 2022, 36 children were born.

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