The Lekwa Local Municipality, today convened the Local AIDS Council (LAC), bringing together government departments, civil society organisations, community structures and other key stakeholders to strengthen collaborative efforts in addressing HIV/AIDS and other social ills affecting communities across the municipality.
The engagement provided an opportunity for stakeholders within the Council to present their respective interventions, share progress, identify challenges and propose practical solutions aimed at strengthening the local response to HIV/AIDS and related social challenges.
Discussions focused on the importance of prevention, awareness, early intervention, access to healthcare services, treatment adherence and continued support for people living with HIV.
The meeting further recognised that HIV/AIDS cannot be addressed in isolation, as it is closely linked to broader social and economic challenges affecting communities. Stakeholders therefore discussed the need for a coordinated response to social ills such as substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, child abuse, and other factors that contribute to vulnerability within communities.
The Lekwa Local AIDS Council further urges community members to visit nearest healthcare centres, make use of the newly introduced Lenacapavir HIV prevention injection which was officially launched by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, on 5 June 2026.
The LAC is also planning to take information and education initiatives directly into communities to raise awareness about HIV prevention and other social ills affecting the quality of life of residents.