04 Jul 2016

Kanye Administrative Authority (KAA) Men Sector chairperson, Mr Bakang Seametso says contrary to the notion held by some people, the Men Sector is not Emang Basadi equivalent.

Mr Seametso said this during the Lorolwane HIV/AIDS testing and horse racing event in Lorolwane on Saturday. He said the Men Sector was formed many years ago as a strategy by the government to stem the tide against HIV/AIDS prevalence.

“The scourge was ravaging our people and there was realisation that men in particular were lagging behind on issues around HIV/AIDS, hence the establishment of the Men Sector,” he said.

He said the theme: Male involvement in health issues, spoke directly to the significant role men had in the fight against the disease.

Men’s positions as head of families, he said, placed them in a better stead to be at the forefront and ensure there was victory against HIV/AIDS by way of testing themselves, undertaking safe male circumcision and keeping at bay multiple concurrent relationships that fuel further disease spread.

Giving a word of encouragement, KAA Men Sector organising secretary, Mr Oduetse Khibitswane pleaded with men to test themselves and know their status.

He said people who get to know their status earlier tend to live much longer because they access treatment straightaway in case they have the virus, and that those who were free from the virus were advised accordingly to take preventive measures against the disease.

For his part, Kgosi Matlhoakgosi Matlho echoed other speakers’ sentiments, and urged his subjects to take advantage of facilities brought to their village.

He said he wished the gesture could be extended to Lorolwane more often. Kgosi Matlho was, however, not happy by the low turn-out of the elderly.

Councillor Binki Moalosi commended the youth of Lorolwane for their active participation on issues pertinent to their lives and called on them to maintain the status quo. She, however, expressed her misgivings for the low turnout by the elderly.

Meanwhile, Messrs’ Otsile Kgakalo, Mosimanephenyo Legoiwa and Onkabetse Kgakalo were awarded P2 000, P1 500 and P1 000 respectively for occupying spot number one, two and three during the horse race that proved a craze to hundreds who graced the event. ENDS