Director of the proceedings

Hon Dr David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa outgoing SAA President & former Minister of Health & Child Welfare, Zimbabwe.

Hon Professor Sheila Tlou a Board Member of the Board of t Trustees & former Minister of Health & Wellness, Botswana

Distinguished Outgoing & Incoming SAA Board Members

Dr Bodea Luc & Members of the Secretariat

Ladies & Gentleman

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address you.

HIV/AIDS, TB & Malaria are among the major causes of morbidities & mortalities in sub Saharan Africa; with Southern African Development Community (SADC) being an epicenter.

I believe that with strengthened research & development of new tools some of these diseases can be prevented, treated, eliminated & can be eradicated within a generation.

Therefore, it’s no coincidence that our predecessors deemed it fit to establish this institution with intended objectives such as:

• To contribute to the control and management of HIV infection/AIDS, TB and Malaria throughout Africa and to serve as a forum for the exchange of information on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the UNAIDS, International AIDS Society, and other International and national organizations on AIDS.
  
• To serve as an African focus and coordinator of AIDS activities in Africa.
  
• To promote research and training on HIV and AIDS prevention and care in Africa.
  
• To work with African States to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria on the African Continent.
  
• To organize International Conferences on HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB and Malaria in Africa and collaborate with other organizations in organizing specific workshops on HIV and emerging infections.
  
• To solicit, receive, manage and account for funds for supporting SAA activities against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa.
  
• To serve as a central registry of individuals and organizations, professionally involved in AIDS research and activities to prevent the spread of AIDS and care for people living with HIV, TB and Malaria in Africa.
  
• To represent the African Scientific community as a voice of reason in AIDS controversies, speak and act against discrimination/stigmatization, and ensure the observance of ethical norms in all aspect of research and trials relating to HIV and AIDS in Africa.
  
• To promote the total well being of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS as well as create awareness on other emerging diseases threatening public health in Africa

 

Fellow SAA Board Members I take it that these will remain our guiding principles as we enter into this August house & navigate into this great assignment.

A little while ago I was declared as SAA President. I accept this great responsibility with humility & dedication.

What a privilege for me to have been accorded this opportunity to serve the African people contributing to Africa we want.

I know just as you know high tension of current geo politics and the obvious economic downturns. It’s time to stand together as Africans and address our common challenges.

Thus, I vow not to walk alone but will serve as a Team inclusive of our dynamic secretariat. For the success of this Organization, I look forward to tapping wisdom from our predecessors.

Given this background, permit me to thank my brother comrade & friend, the outgoing President of SAA, Dr David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa who convinced me & invited me to join you as a Board Member of SAA. As a result, I had the privilege to attend the last ICASA 2025, Accra, Ghana.

Similarly, a word of gratitude to you all SAA Board Members for trust & confidence shown to have elected me to serve as President of SAA for the next 4 years.

My gratitude also goes to Dr Bodea Luc & the entire Members of the Secretariat for excellent communication & follow up’s on reminders.

I will fail in my duty if I do not extend a word of gratitude to the forebears, former Presidents of SAA for quality leadership of this great institution which has led us to this day.

Indeed, I look forward to working with each one of you closely in our quest to eliminate most of these killer diseases.

 

Thank you