World Aids Day
Leadership and unity are needed to stop AIDS
A lot still needs to be done to renew our commitment to the struggle against HIV and AIDS, and to renew our determination and belief in stopping AIDS through leadership and unity. >>> MORE

---

Manifesto 2009
A programme to further improve the lives of the people
The ANC's manifesto policy conference ended at the weekend with a commitment to a manifesto for the 2009 elections that accelerates change. It agreed on the framework for a programme for the next five years that further improves the lives of South Africans with the resources available to the country. >>> MORE

WORLD AIDS DAY BY BALEKA MBETE

Leadership and unity are needed to stop AIDS

A lot has been achieved since 1988 when health ministers from around the world gathered to dedicate a special day of solidarity to fight against HIV and AIDS. At the same time, a lot still needs to be done to renew our commitment to this struggle, our determination and belief in stopping HIV and AIDS through leadership and unity.

World Aids Day is a reminder to all the people in the world that HIV and AIDS is a global challenge, and that we need to work collectively to reduce the socio-economic devastation brought about by this disease.

We must remember that many children are orphans because of this disease. We must be fully aware of the unacceptable trend of child-headed families that result from this disease.

This situation, throws a challenge to each and every one to become a leader in addressing this challenge. Remember that the values of our culture teach us that 'any child is my child'. Everyone should be asking: 'what am I doing to stop the spread of this disease; what assistance am I extending to children who are orphans and child-headed families'.

In terms of our everyday conduct, it begins with simple things like upholding a message that says "Zithande", which means examine yourself to ensure that your actions have a 'love yourself' outcome.

As individuals we must know that it starts with us. Our behaviour goes a long way in stopping new HIV infections. Please always remember:

• Having more than one sexual partner increases the risk of HIV.
• Every time you start a new sexual relationship you should both be sure of your HIV status.
• Always use condoms with all your partners, meaning use a condom with each partner and every round.
• Having sex when drunk increases your risk of infection.
• Having sex in exchange for money or other material things increases your risk of HIV infection.

This is the time for everyone to take a stand and to be a leader in fighting HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in your home, your school, your workplace and your community.

I commend the courage of those living with the disease and also applaud those who continue to speak out in an effort to create awareness about HIV and AIDS. We urge HIV positive mothers to enrol in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission programme, to make full use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to test their children very early so that necessary therapy can be administered in time.

Moreover, this means children from households affected by HIV and AIDS must be protected from abuse and neglect. These children must be enabled to complete their schooling. The future of our country lies in the hands of children. We must do all we can to protect them, love them, and nurture them.

Education must continue to be one important aspect of our children's development and growth. With all our children, rich and poor, urban or rural, sick or healthy, we must not compromise their well-being and their future. We have to be prepared to sacrifice everything for our children. There can be no shortcut.

We must work together to do everything in our power to stop sexual violence against women and children, and act against perpetrators of this crime. As part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, we must expose and shame all those who commit such crimes.

Women have a right to ask their partners to have HIV tests before they engage in sexual activities. It is time for women to stand firm in decisions that affect their bodies and the survival of their homes and children. They must have the right to decide when they want to engage in sexual activities and if they want to fall pregnant or not.

Despite the high prevalence of HIV in our country, we have achieved significant gains over the past few years in the implementation of our National Strategic Plan.

We now have many partners in the fight against HIV and AIDS in all communities. We have many prevention programmes in schools, workplaces and communities. We have the largest ARV treatment programme in the world. We distribute millions of free male and female condoms across the country. We support thousands of community and home-based care programmes throughout the country.

Our mandate is clear and straightforward: "HIV, AIDS and TB are national priorities, requiring urgent action by all sectors of society."

Our goal in the National Strategic Plan is geared towards halving new HIV infections by 2011. For us to achieve this, we must own up, spread and practice the key messages for the prevention on new HIV infections in the country.

We fully endorse the theme for World Aids Day since we believe it reflects the commitment by the leadership of this country to stop HIV and the commitment to national unity to beat the epidemic.

We thank other stakeholders such as business, NGOs, churches, labour, traditional leaders and the media for playing a major role in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This demonstrates that all of us have to be leaders and be united against the spread of this disease. The contribution of all these partners complements the work already underway. To all HIV and AIDS activists, let us continue to do the good work which cries out to be done.

>> Baleka Mbete is the ANC National Chairperson.

Useful links

>> Department of Health
>> HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, 2007-2011
>> World Aids Day 2008
>> UNAIDS

---

MANIFESTO 2009

A programme to further improve the lives of the people

The ANC's manifesto policy conference ended at the weekend with a commitment to a manifesto for the 2009 elections that accelerates change. It agreed on the framework for a programme for the next five years that further improves the lives of South Africans with the resources available to the country.

The conference was attended by more than 800 delegates, representing ANC provinces and regions, the ANC Women's League and ANC Youth League, Alliance partners, and representatives of the mass democratic movement.

As part of the broad consultative process of developing the ANC's 2009 Election Manifesto, the organisation invited members of the public to make suggestion on issues for inclusion in the manifesto. Many people responded, sending e-mails, SMSs and letters highlighting concerns and making suggestions on how these could be addressed. Over the course of a two-week period over 1,800 contributions were made.

Education was the area of concern most frequently cited by contributors. Many referred to the need to reduce the cost of education, and to improve access particularly for the poor. Other areas included the quality of education in historically black schools and institutions, and post-school training. The creation of decent work was another priority area. In many cases, employment was specifically linked to skills development. The quality of jobs was also important, with a number of concerns about casualisation and outsourcing.

There was a general acknowledgement that the ANC has made significant advances in the provision of basic services, and that this has contributed to the alleviation of poverty. But contributors wanted to see improvements in the pace and quality of provisions.

For example, one person said he wanted to see access to water and electricity and other government services improved: "The government (under the ANC) did well to provide basic services to the people. I used to fetch water very far and sometimes had to wake up so early (around 2-3 am) in the morning to beat the long queues."

The conference re-affirmed the five key priorities identified by the ANC, which will require urgent attention to eradicate the high levels of inequality, unemployment and poverty in the country. These five priorities are:

• Decent work: The ANC will pursue policies that strengthen the link between economic development and decent work. It will upscale the public investment programme in line with available resources, and implement an industrial policy that assists in maintaining growth.
• Education: The ANC has already started a campaign to improve our education system and will increase investment in this sector. Measures will be adopted to improve the quality of education, particularly in maths and science; improve teacher training; and in making schooling more accessible to the poor.
• Health: We are committing ourselves to the progressive implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system and the measurable upgrading of public health facilities. We have recommitted ourselves to making a meaningful difference to the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, in particular reducing the number of new infections, ensuring that all who need ARV treatment have access to it, and putting in place more effective partnership in the form of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC).
• Crime: The ANC will address the unacceptable levels of crime in this country. We will aim to bring the levels of contact crime down by 7-10% per year. We will increase the capacity of the South African Police Service (SAPS) through recruitment, rigorous training, better remuneration, and increasing the capacity of the especially the detective services and forensics. The ANC will continue to protect our constitutional freedoms such as freedom of expression, independence of the judiciary and freedom of association.
• Rural Development: Land reform is to be expanded, implemented more rigorously, and linked to the creation of economic opportunities on a mass scale, with vastly improved post-settlement support. Infrastructure programmes will be reviewed and expanded to make them relevant to rural needs.

The conference noted that the world had changed significantly since the 2004 elections and the ANC must continue to adapt to these changes. One of the most important factors impacting on our ability to respond to the challenges is the global financial crisis, which would have negative effects on production and employment.

The ANC has costed plans in place to address issues of increasing the levels of employment through public employment schemes. The ANC has had 14 years in government and has learnt from experience, both the positive and negative. The ANC will use this experience to improve service delivery and accountability and to accelerate change.

The ANC will continue to keep in place the existing social security measures and extend them to those still in need, in line with the Polokwane resolutions. As in the past, the extension of grants will be linked to considerations of affordability.

The conference emphasised the position that the ANC approaches the development of its manifesto with great care and extensive consultation because it knows that the ANC will have to bear the responsibility of actually implementing its manifesto.

On 10 January next year, the ANC will launch a manifesto that is realistic and achievable, that is sustainable, and whose commitments can be matched by available resources. The ANC welcomed the discussion and debates that are taking place about its manifesto. It welcomed in particular the many people who have made contributions, and who continue to make contributions. The ANC would make every effort to ensure that their suggestions, concerns, hopes and aspirations are adequately represented in the mandate that we are seeking for the next five years.

Useful links

>> ANC Popular Manifesto Campaign 2008
>> Previous ANC Election Manifestos