16 Jun 2015

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC)  in collaboration with Artesia Village Multisectoral AIDS Committee (VMSAC) organised an HIV/AIDS campaign to create awareness among young people

Speaking in an interview, Kgosi George Thwane of Artesia said the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases led to the campaign.
 He said youth programmes were aimed at assisting the youth to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, which was exacerbated by alcohol and drug abuse. 


Kgosi Thwane commended the residents of Artesia for coming forth to test for HIV/AIDS, adding that this would make it easier for health workers to assist them.  He said he was worried about young people who abused alcohol and drugs.

He commended government for making an ARV storage facility in his village as that showed commitment to stop HIV/AIDS related deaths.
The VMSAC chairperson Ms Motlhodi Ntsweletau said youth pregnancy continues to be a worrisome in the village.


Ms Ntsweletau said the campaign seeks to reduce youth pregnancy and alcohol and drug abuse amongst young people.
One of the youth in the village encouraged his peers to desist from alcohol and drug abuse.


The District Youth Coordinator Mr Olefile Thipe said the objectives were to help the youth address this problem and come up with programmes geared at assisting them.


Mr Thipe said they also wanted to motivate the youth to participate in HIV/AIDS related issues and increase of access to health care services. ENDS