Home / 2004 / s2004-08-30 Launch of Siyayinqoba Beat It!

Jacob Zuma Speaks at the launch of Siyayinqoba Beat It! on SABC 1

Also featured on this souce tape.
Interviews: Vuyani Jacobs, Jack Lewis
Speeches: Vuyanin Jacobs, Busisiwe Maqungo, Jason Wessenaar, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge

Jacob Zuma: We have always believed that the battle against the scourge of HIV and AIDS would be won decisively if we work together and combine our efforts in all sectors and spheres.

This has always informed our response to the epidemic, hence the launch of the Partnership against AIDS and the South African National AIDS Council.

The broadcast media, especially the SABC, is a powerful member of this Partnership against AIDS, given the numbers of people it reaches. That makes the launch of this television programme today quite significant.

I must also remark that the title of the programme, "Siyayinqoba Ingculazi-Beat It", is very appropriate, as it gives hope and determination. It adds momentum to the use of the airwaves to communicate HIV/AIDS messages such as that of prevention, treatment and good nutrition, care and support for those living with the disease as well as the ongoing search for a vaccine.

We also hope that the programme will assist in the process of empowering families and caregivers as well as people living with the virus, who are taking anti-retroviral treatment.

Initially when we started implementing the Comprehensive Plan for the Treatment and Management of HIV and AIDS there were some real concerns that we had to deal with, and we have tackled those successfully.

We have completed the process of assessing the state of readiness of health facilities and we have accredited them. We have also dealt with staffing issues, training needs, procurement issues, and we have improved the capacity of laboratories and established capacity for monitoring patients, amongst some of the issues.

In addition, all provinces have started to implement the comprehensive plan. At the moment, there are 85 accredited service points for drugs procurement and these are fully operational. There are already 8 000 people on Antiretroviral treatment in the public sector countrywide.

The programme has come at an opportune moment as well because I believe that we have reached a stage where we can say we are all living with HIV and AIDS.

The awareness is greater than ever before. Those who are not infected or who do not know their status know a sibling, relative, friend or neighbour who is living with the disease or who has died of an AIDS-related ailment.

The disease has therefore become part of our lives. This calls for action from each and everyone of us, to minimise the pain and suffering to the infected and affected, and to join the campaign to arrest the spread of the disease. We cannot only look up to Government for a response. Government will continue to play its role, but the action of each individual also counts.

Most importantly, we must continue to work to de-stigmatise the disease. We must all, as individuals, internalise that contracting HIV is not a curse or punishment, and then promote openness about the disease, to destroy the stigma attached to it.

Together we need to keep on repeating the message that people who are infected by the virus can live productive lives for many years, if they lead healthy and positive lifestyles, which we hope this television programme will advocate.

We cannot condemn our family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours to a life of isolation just because they live with HIV, when they can, and do, continue to lead normal lives and contribute to the economy of this country and their communities.

It is only through greater openness that we can be able to make greater impact on the campaign of prevention. It is difficult to destroy a silent and unseen enemy. When people are open about the disease, they would be more receptive to positive messages.

Also important in this campaign, is for us not to lose hope. To succeed, the "Siyayinqoba - Beat It" series we are launching today should give hope to millions of our people who are living with the disease, and also to their families and loved ones who have to take care of them.

Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome this joint venture between SABC Education and the Community Health Media Trust. It is a meaningful contribution to a noble and critical campaign.

We wish all the partners well with this programme, and trust that it will attract sizeable audiences given its subject matter.

We must reiterate that the media has a critical role to play in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and we recognise and commend the role that the SABC is already playing in this regard.

We wish you all the best with this programme.

I thank you.

Jacob Zuma - Interview - Siyayinqoba launch

Question (inaudible)

Jacob Zuma: Well I think the launch is very important and I think it has come at the very right time, that given the campaigns we have waged over a period I think we did need an SABC dedicated programme to the problem that is facing our country and I am hoping that through the programme particularly because the SABC is not just going to do TV which is not found in other places but also do radio and then in all languages I think it is very important, it is actually focusing on the people who need it, so I am very happy,  I am very excited about it.

Question (inaudible)

Jacob Zuma: Well the youth, with the message, is that I think we should listen to the message that is being put across by this programme is very important. I don't think we should take things easy, I don't think we should have a kind of the usual behavior to say ‘well I can hear it now I'll do it next time', because there is no next time - once the message comes, act on it, acting on it you help yourself, you help your community, you help the country.

Question (inaudible)

Jacob Zuma: Loluhlelo lusho iinto eziningi. Okukuqala nje ngijabula kabi ukuthi iSABC, umsakazo, uvulumelane nolubambisene kanye nabo ukuthi kwenziwe loluhlelo. Loluhelo luhle ngoba luzofika ebantwini lugcwalisa emikhankasweni ekade sinayo, eminingi, yokulwisana kanye nengculaza esiyaziyo. Kodwa okuyikhona okusemqoka namhlanje ukuthi isithathwe ngumsakazo, kanye neTV. Lokho kusho ukuthi yonke imiyalezo noma iinkulumo ezenziwayo zizoqoqeka zifike ebantwini, ikakhulu ngoba akuyena umabonakude kuphela kodwa futhi ilethwe ngisho emsakazweni. Lokho kush'ukuthi izofika kubantu abaningi bakulelizwe abawudingayo lomyalezo ukuze siyinqobe lenselo esibhekene nayo. {isiZulu - refer to above text}