Press Release

March 5, 2010

The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation visited South Africa ...

Champions Urge South Africa to Take Leading Role in Regional Response to HIV
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation visited South Africa on their latest mission to meet with top leaders and urge the country to take a leading role in the regional response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

Led by His Excellency, Mr. Festus G. Mogae, the former president of Botswana, the Champions’ visit (March 4-5) included meetings with South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Members of Parliament, KwaZulu Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize, His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini, and leaders of civil society.

More than 5.2 million people are estimated to be living with HIV in South Africa. In meetings with government and civil society, the Champions congratulated South African leadership for the recently announced policy initiatives to scale-up the response to HIV and AIDS in their country, and encouraged them to go a step further to become leaders of the regional response as well.

‘’South Africa could play a leading role in SADC to coordinate regional prevention programs and harmonize treatment systems targeting mobile and migrant populations,’’ said Mogae, who is chairperson of the Champions. “South Africa could also leverage its influence at the Group of 20 (G20) to ensure that commitments on HIV and AIDS are followed through and global responses reflect the evidence and burden of the epidemic in Africa.”

In addition to Mr. Mogae, other Champions taking part in the visit included His Excellency, Mr. Joaquim Chissano, former president of the Republic of Mozambique, and Ms. Joyce Mhaville, chairperson of the Steering Committee of the African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (ABMP).

The Champions said prevention of HIV must be the highest priority. They recommended that the recently drafted policy on male circumcision in South Africa be endorsed by leadership and rolled out with urgency. The mission also endorsed the country’s plans for a year-long national HIV testing campaign, and encouraged the integration of “couples testing” into the campaign.

“We should seek male involvement in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program (PMTCT) services – all fathers, even if they are not married, should go with their partners for antenatal services and get tested along with the pregnant women,” said Mhaville. “Couples should be encouraged to go to the male circumcision services together, learn about circumcision together, and get HIV tested together.”

The delegation’s program included a field trip to the Khayelitsha township outside of Cape Town to visit the Ubuntu Clinic, one of the first TB/HIV integrated clinics in South Africa. It is also the largest TB clinic and the largest ARV clinic in the Western Cape Province with 4,000 people on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and close to 2,000 patients treated for TB every year.

The trip also included a courtesy call on the Zulu Monarch, King Zwelithini, to endorse his brave decision in December 2009 to revive the practice of medical male circumcision within the Zulu Nation. The Champions also addressed members of the Portfolio Committee on Health in Parliament, and the first plenary meeting of the South African National AIDS Council in 2010. The visit was concluded with a site visit to the KwaCaluza Clinic in Pietermaritzburg where the Champions were shown a unique new method for male circumcision using a disposable clamp device.

“During our two-day visit to South Africa, we have met many ‘Champions’ who work hard every day in this struggle against HIV and AIDS,” Mogae said. “We commend these local Champions and congratulate your country for its progressive attitude.”

Background on the Champions

The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation project was launched in August 2008 at the 17th International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. The founding members include four former African presidents, a Nobel Laureate, and other high-level African leaders from different walks of life. The Champions focus their efforts in Sub Sarah Africa, home to more than two-thirds of all people living with HIV.