Charlize Theron and Zuma unite to fight Aids

By Mariam Digges

Charlize Theron and Zuma unite to fight Aids
UN Messenger for Peace Charlize Theron meets with South African President Jacob Zuma to discuss the fight against HIV and Aids.

Meeting in Pretoria, South African-born Theron and Mr. Zuma discussed a new program to help the fight against the region’s HIV and Aids epidemic.

According to Zuma, the said program had already increased the life expectancy of those affected by making the anti-viral drugs cheaper and more readily available to sufferers.

During their meeting in Pretoria, Mr Zuma and the South African-born Hollywood actress said they explored methods that could help ease the struggle against HIV and Aids in South Africa and across the continent as a whole.

“I believe that successes we can make in South Africa will certainly have a big impact in the continent,” said Mr. Zuma at a news conference.

Theron urged her civil organisation, Africa Outreach Project, to support the South African government in their efforts for creating an Aids-free country.

“To all the young people in this country, we are all here to support you,” the Oscar-winning actress assured.

“You are the future of this country and I am asking you to seize the opportunities that you have, to do everything in your ability to lead healthy and empowered lives.

“I can promise you that we will be here and we will continue to support you to keep yourselves and your peers safe from HIV.”

Theron was awarded the Cinema for Peace Honorary Award in February for her continued work towards the prevention of HIV/Aids in her home country.

UNAIDS estimates more than 300,000 people living in South Africa alone die from the disease each year, with 5.6 million infected with HIV or Aids.

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