Boksburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Saturday 6 June 2015 host and chair the meeting of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) at the Emperors Palace in Boksburg, Gauteng Province. Deputy President Ramaphosa will host the meeting in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SANAC.

The SANAC meeting on Saturday takes place against the background of the forthcoming 7th SA AIDS Conference scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday 09-12 June 2015 at the Durban's Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC). The focus of the 7th SA AIDS Conference is the reduction of the HIV and TB Stigma reduction programmes.

In this regard, South Africa undertook its first National Stigma Index Survey among people living with HIV in 18 districts across the Republic to measure self-reported stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. The survey will inform the development and implementation of national policies and programmes that protect the rights of people living with HIV. Critical to note is that the survey indicates that South Africa has indeed made good progress in dealing with HIV-related stigma with about a third of people living with HIV still experiencing some form or another of stigma. The survey report will be released during the 7th SA Aids Conference.

Media is invited to the opening session and address by the Deputy President at the SANAC meeting, Boksburg as follows:
Time: 08h30 for 09h00
Venue: Emperors Palace, Convention Centre, Boksburg
Date: Saturday 6 June 2015

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria