08 Jun 2014

Member of Parliament for Kanye North, Mr Kentse Rammidi has condemned the words used to convey messages during HIV/AIDS campaigns.

Mr Rammidi said during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing last week that such phrases as bagolo tswaang mo ma-14, o icheke were derogatory to elderly people.

Tswapong North MP, Mr Prince Maele also said he was offended by the words used during the campaigns, which in most cases pointed an accusing finger at the elderly.

In response, the coordinator at the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA), Ms Grace Muzila, said their doors were always open to re-look at the messages. The intention of the agency during campaigns, she said, was to sensitise people about HIV/AIDS and not send offensive messages.

Ms Muzila said they believed the messages flighted so far were fine as NACA was really bothered by multiple- concurrent partners. Member of Parliament for Tonota North, Mr Fidelis Molao expressed concern that knowledge on HIV/AIDS matters remained low at around 7.9 per cent.

He noted that HIV/AIDS used to be a topical issue in every meeting, but that had since changed.

The Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Gilson Saleshando also wondered why Selebi Phikwe had remained the highest on HIV/AIDS prevalence rate for a longer period and asked her to explain why the town was not experiencing any changes.

When responding Ms Muzila admitted that knowledge on HIV/AIDS issues was low and said they will try to source funds to enhance it. She also explained that the agency was still at conceptualisation stage of how they could source funds, as they prioritise money they get from government.

Ms Muzila admitted high prevalence rates in Selibe Phikwe, adding that since they have put appropriate interventions in place and people were not dying the figures remained the same. ENDS