By Sibusisekile Ndlangamandla
NHLANGANO – The HIV Prevention Indaba “Ngivenami” has taken its message to the Shiselweni Region, providing communities with an opportunity to reflect on national HIV prevention findings and identify practical actions that respond to their lived experiences.
Indaba brought together traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, young people, textile workers and other stakeholders whose experiences and perspectives have contributed to shaping the national HIV prevention response.
Setting the tone for action, Shiselweni Regional Administrator, Honourable Themba Masuku, called on stakeholders across different sectors to move beyond discussions and implement practical measures to strengthen HIV prevention. Hon. Masuku emphasised that preventing HIV remains a shared responsibility and called for greater attention to young people, who continue to be an important focus in the national response. “Shiselweni must move from listening to action,” he said.
He further reaffirmed the region’s commitment to supporting a coordinated, multisectoral approach to HIV prevention, urging stakeholders to translate the issues raised by communities into meaningful interventions.
The “Ngivenami” initiative provides a platform for communities to contribute directly to conversations around HIV prevention, ensuring that programmes and policies are informed by the realities faced by people in different parts of the country.
The Shiselweni engagement also highlighted the importance of bringing together different sectors, recognising that effective HIV prevention requires collaboration between government, communities, traditional leadership, faith groups, young people, workers and other partners.
The discussions are expected to contribute to a stronger understanding of the challenges affecting HIV prevention at community level while encouraging stakeholders to take ownership of solutions.
With the national findings now being discussed at regional level, the indaba reinforces the importance of turning community voices into practical action as Eswatini continues working towards ending AIDS.
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