"Ewu yangena ngenxeba elibi lento kodwa......"

The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is 'Getting to Zero'. After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the global community has committed to focusing on achieving 3 targets:

"Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths".²

In 2010, there were 2.7 million new HIV infections and 1.8 million people died from AIDS.³ Moreover, in 2011 people living with HIV were still subject to restrictions on their travel and/or stay in 47 countries, territories and areas.

As AVERT.org shows, the global HIV epidemic is extremely diverse, with both similarities and differences between regions, countries, provinces and communities. However, in order to meet the challenge of 'Getting to Zero' the global community must work together to achieve universal access to HIVprevention, treatment and care.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take on the challenge of getting to zero.

"Ewu yangena ngenxeba elibi lento kodwa......"