NATIONS OF WORLD MUST HOLD HANDS AGAINST AIDS - KING

King Letsie III says it is imperative for all nations of the world to hold hands to share ideas and stand in solidarity in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as the disease is not affecting only certain countries but it is a global problem.

The King was speaking at Pitso ground, in Maseru where he was officially welcoming international cyclists in a World Vision HIV/AIDS  Relay Cycle which began in Mozambique on August 28, this year. The King said he cherished the contribution of the international cyclists to Lesotho's efforts to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. He said in the case of Lesotho, the difficulty of coming to terms with the disease is compounded by the fact that, culturally discussions about sex are often regarded as socially unacceptable.

"To engage openly in discussions about sex and therefore HIV/AIDS, is deemed shameful and disrespectful", he added. He said it must be noted, however, that there is a noticeable change in attitudes within societies due to tireless HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns such as the cycling event and warnings by individuals living with AIDS or HIV, and by HIV/AIDS associations campaigning against high risk behaviour.

The King called on the Basotho to see the cycle as an opportunity to review themselves to check what they are doing as a nation and as individuals to address the problem of HIV/AIDS He wished the Cyclists a safe onwards HIV/AIDS awareness cycling journey to Butha-Buthe and finally to Durban, South Africa where it is going to end on Saturday, this week.

The World Vision National Director in Lesotho, Mr Winstone Nkhoma said the cycle is intended to communicate messages about HIV/AIDS in Southern African
countries in a bid to reduce the spread of the disease in the region. He said the theme of the Cycle, "Children- our hope, our future", was chosen to encourage people to protect children against the disease and to challenge the children as a nation of the future, to start recognising ways in which HIV/AIDS can be prevented so that they can have a brighter future.

The annual Cycle which was intended for Cyclists in the Southern Region of Africa has this year been able to draw participation of Cyclists from America, Australia and United Kingdom. Lesotho took part in the Cycle with 30 Cyclists, for the fist time this year.

18 September,2002