TB Day: Activists demand public apology after Phaahla, Maape no-show
A group of angry HIV/Aids activists disrupted the formal program at the official World TB Day event in Rustenburg.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Friday delivered the keynote address at the Rustenburg event, in his capacity as chairperson of the South African Aids Council (Sanac).
The group stormed the marquee at the Tlhabane stadium in North West, demanding a public apology from Premier Bushy Maape and Minister Joe Phaahla, whom they accuse of snubbing their event on Thursday.
People Living with Aids secretary Sibongile Tshabalala says they are tired of government leaders disrespecting communities and ignoring dialogues where genuine concerns and lived experiences are discussed.
“We are tired of leaders who only know us when there are elections coming, but after elections, they don’t make us a priority. Come next year’s elections every leader of political parties will be talking to people on the ground hugging us and giving us food parcels and blankets, but after the vote then they forget about us.
"That time is over. Everyone needs to be accountable and acknowledge communities. When they are called by communities that voted for them, they need to come to the ground and listen to them.”
Tshabalala says the event had been planned from last year and is part of the ‘policy in action’ build-up activities ahead of days such as World TB Day and World Aids Day, adding that her organisation was part of mobilising community members to participate.
“[They] were supposed to come and listen to the community raising their frustrations about the public healthcare services that continue to fail people on the ground.”
She says government has failed to put its money where its mouth is in the fight against TB. Tshabalala says persons diagnosed with TB are still being stigmatised even at healthcare facilities.
Maape apologised and promised to urgently arrange to meet with the group.
Meanwhile, in his keynote address deputy president Paul Mashatile said the North West faces specific challenges in the fight against TB due to mining activities and a high number of informal settlements which result in overcrowding and unfavourable living conditions.
He says it’s unacceptable that in 2023, stigma still poses a challenge.
“Stigma and discrimination remain some of the hardest social and structural barriers that limit access to TB screening, treatment, and care – thus compromising the lives of people who are infected and affected by TB.”
Mashatile launched the fifth National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs for the period 2023 to 2028 as adopted by Cabinet.
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