In what it describes as implementing the Provincial Council on AIDS Policy in Action and Operation Dignity, the North West government made good on its commitment by honouring the legacy of late HIV/AIDS activists in the province.
Premier Lazarus Mokgosi led the unveiling of the tombstone of one of the patrons, Mosadiotsile Olyn, at the Magogong village in Taung.
Speaking to YOUFM during an exclusive interview upon handing over a renovated house and tuckshop to Olyn’s children, Mokgosi praised her and her colleagues’ role in the community.
“During the commemoration of World Aids Day and World TB Day, we made a commitment. Our Provincial Council on AIDS visited former activists here in Taung, the other one was in Tshing, Ventersdorp. They did community work and volunteered, creating HIV awareness when it was not fashionable to do so. The council found the activists to be living under pressing challenges. This was very interesting to government, because when we arrived, we said to ourselves, these people volunteer, and we were not aware of their living conditions,” said Mokgosi.
He adds that the government decided to mobilise resources in partnership with the private sector, to celebrate the heroes and heroines who dedicated their lives to the community.
“They were not getting paid, they volunteered to live in the community and assist our people. When we arrived here, we found a very bad situation, we found kids who didn’t even have proper documentation. We decided to assist with school fees and several activities,” Mokgosi explained.
Furthermore, the Premier said the strategy of combating HIV infections in the province is yielding the desired results especially through integrated efforts between government, civil society and business.
Mokgosi called on residents to lead a healthy lifestyle by reducing the intake of alcohol and smoking, to eat healthy and invest in physical exercise.
