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.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...