Photo: GCIS

South Africans Standing Up Against Rape

Chemical castration of perpetrators of sexual violence might serve as a deterrent to reduce the scourge of rape, North West Premier Thandi Modise has suggested. Premier Modise who was herself a victim of rape in her teens has vowed to lead a campaign to lobby for chemical castration given the unacceptable levels that the scourge has reached across the country.

The Premier announced her crusade and reiterated her call for real men to stand up to be counted against the scourge of rape at the inauguration of the newly nominated Provincial Council on Aids (PAC) held at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel on Monday.

In an emotional address, Modise commended members of the outgone council for playing a huge role in mobilising their constituencies for the fight against HIV and AIDS in the province.

Modise said the PCA has done an excellent job in the past years and should continue to play its role. "We are very proud of the work done thus far by the PCA particularly all those members who have contributed their efforts since the inception of the council. We value their contribution in ensuring that people of the province are united in the fight against HIV and AIDS for Zero infections," she said.

She also congratulated new members of the council and encouraged them to serve in the council with high standard of professionalism. "We expect new members of the PCA to continue with the excellent job and serve with dedication, we want new members to understand that being in the PCA, you are working for the people of the province therefore we expect them to do their job to the best of their ability," she said.

The new provincial council is expected to coordinate and monitor the implementation of programmes and strategies for the province's response to HIV and AIDS.

It has to create and strengthen partnerships for an expanded North West provincial response among government agencies, NGOs, donors, the private sector and people living with HIV and AIDS.

The outgone chairperson of the PCA, Reverend Piet Tlhabanyane said that continued and collective effort is needed in order to win the fight against HIV and AIDS. "We will never win the fight against the pandemic if there are no united voices in the province and the entire country at large. HIV and AIDS affect all of us in the country, so we need to stand firm at all the time to fight the pandemic that is killing many of our people," he said.

In supporting the PCA, Deputy Chairperson of SANEC, Mmapaseka Letsike said even though South Africa is registering success each and every year with regard to the fight against HIV and Aids, more still need to be done. She also congratulated new members of the PCA in the province and encouraged them to take the lead in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

"This is not the time to reduce our contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS. South Africa is still faced with many challenges because every day we lose our sisters and brothers as a result of this pandemic," she said. The new council to serve for 2 years will be charged with governance in matters pertaining to HIV and AIDS in the province, and delivery of the mandates in terms of the North West Provincial Council on AIDS Act.

Government departments, the business sector, Disabled People South Africa-North West, People with Disability, North West People Living with HIV and AIDS, National Association of People living With Aids, including political parties represented in the provincial legislature are among the organisations that have nominated the 26-member council.

Issued by: North West Office of the Premier