Mqondisi Dube
2 December 2008
Selebi-Phikwe — President Ian Khama has castigated Botswana's representative at the just ended Big Brother Africa III reality show, Tawana Lebani for her insatiable appetite for sex.
Khama said Tawana has disgraced the country. "O digile leina larona le flaga yarona. (She has the disgraced us as a nation)," he said during World AIDS Day commemorations yesterday in Selebi-Phikwe.
He added that Tawana had let the country down and her actions are detrimental to a country fighting a high HIV prevalence rate.Tawana received widespread criticism for her lurid and brazen sexual acts with two housemates from Angola and Zimbabwe.
She later declared her love for sex, which was met with further derision, attracting a barrage of criticism from the rest of the continent, with some questioning Botswana's morals.
Khama urged the nation to re-energise and strengthen efforts to fight HIV/AIDS.
He said it is appropriate that this year's World AIDS Day commemorations are held in Selebi-Phikwe and the Bobirwa Sub District as the areas have a high prevalence rate.Khama said there is an urgent need for behaviour change to stop further infections in Selebi-Phikwe and Bobirwa.
"I challenge these districts to do all in their power to provide leadership in behavioural change and lower the current infection rates," he said. He challenged people to change their behaviour in order to prevent new infections.The President said despite the nation spending P1.4 billion in 2007 on the pandemic, no amount of money can compensate for the need for greater commitment.
He said the government will continue to vary strategies in the battle against the scourge in order to strengthen response.
"It is against this backdrop (as one of the strategies) that I take a firm and clear position against alcohol consumption in this country," Khama said.
He added that people who drink heavily are at a higher risk of engaging in unprotected sex than those who drink less.
He asserted that risky behaviour is the main cause of the spread of the virus. "Therefore, it would be irresponsible for us to fold our arms and watch as many of our beloved ones go to their graves prematurely," Khama said. He stated that there is need to adopt HIV prevention strategies that integrate alcohol and substance abuse into the national response.
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