Piet Retief - This year's World Aids Day on 1 December will be celebrated in Mpumalanga, a province with the second highest HIV and Aids prevalence rate.
"It is no coincidence that we are hosting this important event. We have the second-highest prevalence of HIV and Aids in the country, which is worrisome," said spokesman for the Mpumalanga Department of Health and Social Development Mpho Gabashane.
"Although a recent HIV and syphilis antenatal survey indicates a downward trend, our prevalence rate remains exceedingly high."
The department said Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe would be the keynote speaker at the function, which will be held in the farming and mining area of Driefontein near Piet Retief.
Gabashane said the HIV and Aids pandemic was a fight the government could not win alone.
"As we commemorate World Aids Day, we are all once more reminded about two important interventions we can undertake to reduce new infections - HIV testing and male medical circumcision. Knowing our status provides all of us with the opportunity to live positive lifestyles and prolong our lifespan, whether we are HIV negative or positive," he said.
Gabashane said studies had shown that circumcision could reduce the chance of being infected by 60 percent.
"We therefore encourage all males between 15 and 49 years old to get circumcised. However, safe sex remains important at all times. Being circumcised is no alternative to condom use," Gabashane said.
He added that the province would launch its male medical circumcision campaign in Piet Retief Hospital on November 30.
The Treatment Action Campaign's spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Thandi Maluka, said the organisation had campaigned for the World Aids Day event not to be held in a stadium this year.
"We suggested to Minister Motsoaledi that it should be taken to a deep-rural farming and mining area like Driefontein, where it is easy to be infected with HIV because the majority of the people are illiterate and unemployed," said Maluka.
"We are currently doing door-to-door HIV testing and counselling campaigns in the area as part of the build-up to the event, and so far we've had a very positive response."
