Masisi's World Aids Day Commemoration speech 2020 [full text]
Tuesday, December 01, 2020
President Mokgweetsi Masisi PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
It is an honour for me to once again join you and the rest of the world in commemorating the thirty- second (32nd) World AIDS Day. The commemoration of this day is an opportunity for us to take stock of progress that we have made so far in our response to the HIV/AIDS scourge. It is also a day on which we take a moment to remember our fellow-citizens living with this epidemic, who deserve our love and compassion, as well as those who have lost their precious lives to the virus.
Bagaetsho, we are now all familiar with the reasons for commemorating many of our activities in a low-key tone throughout this year. The commemoration of World AIDS Day is no exception as COVID-19 and its disruptive impact on our social lives and our economy still remains.
The rise in defilement and missing persons cases, particularly over the recent festive period, points not merely to a failure of policing, but to a profound and widespread societal crisis. Whilst the Police chief’s plea is rightly directed at parents, the root of this emergency runs deeper, demanding a collective response from every corner of our community. Marathe’s observations paint a picture of neglect with children left alone for...