“This is a clear indication that we are in a province that is taking responsibility and determined to change the course of the pandemic. These figures are an encouragement to all those who are working tirelessly in the fight against the pandemic,” said Dhlomo.

According to the MEC, KwaZulu-Natal is in the lead with 1 489 211, followed by Gauteng with 953 638, and then Limpopo with 691 841 people reached through the HCT campaign.

Dhlomo said if KZN could change the picture of HIV, it would change the HIV picture of the whole country.

He urged the youth to lead the fight against HIV and Aids by ensuring that they consistently and regularly used condoms. The MEC appealed to younger children to abstain until they were old enough, and for those already in sexual relationships to be faithful to their partners.

Meanwhile, the theme “We are responsible” was echoed to thousands of people gathered in Richmond in the KZN midlands, to observe World Aids Day.

Finance MEC Ina Cronje joined political, religious and traditional leaders from uMgungundlovu District to wage war on the spread of HIV.

All the leaders encouraged people to pull all the stops to fight to prevent infections and assist those already infected to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Richmond is one of the towns with the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the district.

Cronjé said she wanted all mayors and councillors to organise meetings in their respective areas to talk about what exactly that they were going to do to fight the spread the pandemic.

“We want to do all we can as leaders to encourage our people and help them to fight the spread of this pandemic. We must do it at the household level as well, so that uMgungundlovu can take the lead in becoming the least affected district in the province,” she said.

Mayor of uMgungundlovu District, Yusuf Bamjee, said it was important that leaders spearhead the fight in the spread of the pandemic.

As a symbol of commitment to fighting HIV/Aids, Cronjé, along with all the mayors and traditional leaders, signed a joint pledge and lit a candle to remember all those lives lost through the pandemic.

Cronjé also visited nine poverty stricken households in various townships to deliver food vouchers, groceries and seeds. - BuaNews