Maravi

(NYASATIMES) Zambian, Botswana ex presidents in Malawi for HIV cause

Zambian, Botswana ex presidents in Malawi for HIV cause
By Nyasa Times
Published: May 24, 2011

Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda and his Botswana counterpart Festus Mogae are in Malawi for a five-day visit in their quest to advocate for an HIV free generation. While in Malawi, the two illustrious former southern African leaders will carry out various official engagements in their capacity as Champions of HIV Free Generation.

Kaunda: Aids campaigner

They arrived in the country on Tuesday, May 24th, through Kamuzu International Airport and will wind up their tour of duty on May 28th. However, their itinerary was not readily available but among their engagements, the two Champions will have an audience with the HIV and AIDS Committee of the National Assembly on 28th May.

Speaker of Parliament, Henry Chimunthu Banda, told Parliamentarians on Tuesday as he adjourned the House for the day’s business, the meeting with the two Champions will start from 9.00am.

Chimunthu Banda also said as a remembrance for their visit, the two distinguished visitors will also plant trees on the Western side of the Parliament Building.

Mogae, who is also a member of the UNAIDS High Level Commission on HIV Prevention, leads the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation campaign which also has other former leaders like Kaunda, former Presidents of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa, Mozambique’s Joaquim Chissano, South African Anglican Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutu, among others,

The Champion’s team has already visited a number of Southern African countries such as Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Lesotho on similar visits to convince the leadership to adopt effective strategies and actions to reduce the rate of new HIV infections.

During their visits, the Champions have been engaging top government leaders, development partners and members of the civil society, among others, to encourage them for an accelerated response to the AIDS epidemic.

—(Reporting by Wanga Gwede, Nyasa Times)

Labels: FESTUS MOGAE, HIV/AIDS, KENNETH KAUNDA

posted by MrK @ 9:56 PM