Kaizer Chiefs and Government support orphans and vulnerable children

Johannesburg, 20 March2003 - South Africa's favourite football club, Kaizer Chiefs,

announced their commitment to supporting orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa

on Thursday by partnering with Khomanani - Government’s HIV and AIDS communication

campaign.

Kaizer Chiefs theme for 2003 is "Year of the Child" and the organisation

supports Khomanani’s, Circles of Support campaign, aimed at mobilising individuals,

communities and organizations to help children affected and infected by HIV and AIDS.

"The sporting community acknowledges that HIV and AIDS has dire consequences and

is rapidly filtering into all facets of our community - children being the most

vulnerable," said Kaizer Chiefs MD Kaizer Motaung.

"This partnership with government shows our determination to improve the lives of

these vulnerable children.

"With the assistance of Khomanani’s Circles of Support, we will actively

promote and encourage the public and Amakhosi to become partners in helping these children

in their communities. We believe that partnerships such as these reinforce our supporters

core family values and help us to mobilize our fans towards a meaningful implementation of

our slogan Love & Peace," Kaizer Motaung said.

Speaking at today’s (Thursday) initiative announcement, Director General of the

Department of Health, Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba explained that the campaign, which has been

operational for six months, addresses a major national challenge: it is estimated that 2.5

million South African children would have lost at least one parent to AIDS by 2010.

Dr Ntsaluba stressed that of all the impacts of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, this had the

greatest potential to undermine South Africa’s long-term future.

Through its work and public profile, Kaizer Chiefs will help raise awareness and

encourage South Africans to assist orphans and vulnerable children, and to assist in the

de-stigmatization of these children.

The team will also assist those who are

caring for orphans and vulnerable children or know of a child in need, by encouraging them

to call the Circles of Support Hotline, at 0860 222 777 where they will be given

information on seeking assistance from government- in the form of child care grants,

clinics, schools and community-based organisations.

Dr Ntsaluba said: "We thank and commend Kaizer Chiefs FC for lending their support

and commitment to help the South Africa’s children and their caregivers. Partnerships

such as these strengthen South Africa’s fight against HIV and AIDS."

The Circles of Support campaign has tailor made messages for the Amakhosi supporters,

and Kaizer Chiefs FC will display these messages on their website and use them at soccer

matches:

• partnerships such as these strengthen the capacity of families and communities to care
  
  and support orphaned and vulnerable children;



• government grants are available for child-care;



• it is imperative to talk and listen to children and help them stay in school;



• and most importantly, children have a right to be children.

For information on how you can help, or if you know of a child in need call the Circles

Of Support Hotline at 0860 222 777.