SEDIBENG EXECUTIVE MAYOR ENGAGES LEARNERS ON HIV, GBVF AND LEARNER PREGNANCY

13 October 2026, Mahareng Secondary School

Sedibeng District Municipality Executive Mayor and Chairperson of the Sedibeng District AIDS Council, Ald. Lerato Maloka, engaged learners at Mahareng Secondary School in Boipatong on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. The event is part of the was a Pre-World AIDS Day activities which commenced on 01 October 2026.

The dialogue began with a round table discussion between district-based support team within Gauteng Department of Education, school management, government departments and civil society forum leadership which looked at the school’s key concerns, existing interventions and the support and referral pathways available in tackling HIV, GBVF, learner pregnancy, as well as other challenges such as bullying, substance abuse and other forms of violence.

Addressing the learners, Ald. Maloka stressed that protecting young people is a shared responsibility of parents, schools, government and communities.

“Protecting our learners requires more than government programmes. It requires active parents, supportive schools, responsive services and communities that care about the safety and wellbeing of every child.
“Parents are the first line of protection. Our children need parents and caregivers who listen without immediately judging, who create safe spaces for difficult conversations and who are willing to seek help when their children are struggling,” said Mayor Maloka.

She encouraged open conversations about relationships, HIV prevention, violence and peer pressure. She also urged young people to be mindful of their conduct on social media and of how it affects their future. She encouraged learners to feel free to speak to trusted adults and professionals about their struggles without fear of judgement.

The Executive Mayor highlighted the link between physical health and mental well-being. She noted that an HIV diagnosis can be overwhelming for a young person who fears stigma or rejection. She expressed concern about reports of learners experiencing severe emotional distress after a diagnosis, and said no child should face this alone. She also told learners that asking for help is not a weakness.

On HIV prevention, the Executive Mayor called for greater awareness of, and access to, new options such as lenacapavir, a long-acting injection given every six months to eligible individuals in line with national guidelines and service availability. She said condoms remain important because they help prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Both, she said, must be backed by accurate information, accessible health services and responsible decision-making.

On GBVF and learner pregnancy, the Executive Mayor said violence, abuse, coercion and exploitation have no place in our homes, schools or communities. Learners who experience abuse or become pregnant should be protected and supported to continue their education, not shamed or abandoned. She also called on boys and men to take an active role in challenging harmful social norms that perpetuate GBVF and work together in preventing violence.

The dialogue included contributions from the Departments of Social Development, the HIV and AIDS Unit, and the School Health Directorate. The Civil Society Forum Chairperson, who also serves as Co-Chairperson of the AIDS Council, emphasised the importance of learners knowing their HIV status. This enables learners living with HIV to access the necessary care and support, while those who test HIV-negative can receive guidance and support to maintain their status.

The school management team committed to creating a safe, supportive and healthy school environment by working with AIDS Council stakeholders, including government departments, the private sector and civil society organisations.

The dialogue formed part of Sedibeng District Municipality’s build-up to the World AIDS Day commemoration, which will be hosted in Lesedi Local Municipality on 27 November 2026.

Ald. Maloka called on all stakeholders to turn the dialogue into practical action. She said parents, educators, government departments, civil society sectors must continue working together, and that Sedibeng’s future depends on how well its children are protected, guided and supported today.