26 Sep 2013

The only thing that will stop people from being infected by the HIV virus is the behaviour that they manifest towards actions that expose them to the virus, says the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Speaking at the commemoration of the Month of Prayer for HIV/AIDS and prayers for rain at Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School on September 24, Mr Masisi said the status one could enjoy their entire life is their responsibility. He said if the status quo continues, there would be nobody to lead. He further emphasised that HIV knows no border and appealed to spiritual leaders to pray for the nation.

Minister Masisi also said the HIV prevalence rate, which currently stands at 17.6 per cent, would remain high if nothing was done to combat the rate of new infections. He said the high prevalence rate was caused mainly by extensive heterosexual multiple concurrent partner relationships with low and inconsistent condom use.

While the national prevalence rate stands at 17.6 per cent, he explained that it includes adults aged 15-49. Minister Masisi noted that Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School has a segment of the population. He appealed to older men to stop victimising girl students by engaging in sexual relationships with them.

Mogoditshane Senior Secondary school headmaster, Ms Obusitswe Motlhageng said they still encounter cases of students falling pregnant. She said this shows that students engage in risky behaviour. She said there was a need to change the mindset of people and continue with education on responsible behaviour. Reverend Samuel Makgaola of Assemblies of God told the gathering that it was not enough to wait until there was a crisis to come to God.

He said there needs to be a relationship with God, adding that out of that relationship comes confidence to approach him. He said that was why he thanked God for the bountiful rains in advance when praying for rain. The organiser for the event and chairperson of Mabaila Foundation, Mr Tshepang Mabaila applauded the government and other stakeholders for their efforts in the fight against HIV.

He donated 10 trees towards the poverty eradication drive as well as 20 packets of a variety of seeds to Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School. ENDS