Truth about HIV/AIDS must be told
Cheryllyn Dudley, MP


Latest statistics reveal that more than 6.2 million South Africans were infected with HIV or Aids by last year.

This means more than 6.2 million people are condemned to a struggle against stacked odds with illness and death constantly knocking at the door. Tragic! And even more so for the people who thought their day of struggle had at long last come to an end. They stood on the brink of realising the freedom they had dreamed of for them and their children.

Surely ten years of increasing HIV statistics has been long enough to realise mixed messages about delaying sex and using condoms will not turn the tide.

It is time to tell the truth, the whole truth whether we like it or not. Please Mr. Mandela, do not continue to lead this ineffective chorus which so clearly adds to the pain and destruction.

Abstinence outside marriage between one man and one woman as well as faithfulness in marriage is the only proven solution to HIV/AIDS. This must be the language and lifestyle of leaders and role models and their collective call to our nation.

Our youth may be confused and even deceived by erroneous information and poor examples set by leaders and role models, but they are not feeble-minded. They will rise to the challenge when leaders stop trifling with the truth and have the courage to step out of comfort zones and politically correct games and actually make a difference. <p>
<i>published as a letter in Sowetan July 20, 2005