Mapaballo Borotho
- South Africa joins the world in commemorating World AIDS Day to raise awareness and support those living with HIV.
- This year’s theme highlights the need for sustained commitment and strengthened prevention strategies.
- Despite progress, stigma, discrimination, and funding challenges continue to impact the national response.
South Africa commemorates World AIDS Day on 01 December annually to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and show support for people living with the virus.
The year 2025 marks exactly 37 years since the inception of this day and will be observed under the theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response”.
In a statement released by the South African government, the country will use this occasion to reaffirm its commitment to ending the virus through targeted campaigns, community engagement, and sustainable interventions.
The official national event will take place on 1 December 2025 at Masemola Stadium, Ga-Masemola, in the Sekhukhune District, Limpopo, under the theme ‘Renewed Efforts and Sustainable Commitments to End AIDS.
This theme underscores the need to strengthen prevention, treatment, and education strategies to close existing gaps and accelerate progress towards an AIDS-free generation.
While significant strides have been made through expanded testing, access to antiretroviral therapy, and community-driven initiatives, challenges such as inadequate funding persist.
The stigma and discrimination against affected communities remain in South Africa, despite all the education surrounding this virus.
In its efforts to contain HIV/AIDS, the South African government scaled up its antiretroviral treatment programme in 2010.
The country has also registered a six-month injection aimed at combating and preventing HIV-1 infection in both adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg.
This injection is only effective for patients who are HIV-negative and at risk of contracting the infection.
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