Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale has urged parents and guardians to educate their children about the dangers of becoming sexually active while they are still teenagers.

Mathale said the country offers bright opportunities for the youth to encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle in order to reap the fruits of our hard-earned democracy. “The youth represent the future and we should continue to invest in them in all ways. The strength and future of every nation rest squarely in the hands of its young gen-eration,” said Mathale.

Mathale was speaking during the World Aids Day at the Musina Show Grounds on Tuesday and his theme was “I am responsible, We are responsible, South Africa is taking responsibility.”

The day also marked World Aids Day on the international calendar when people converged in different parts of the globe, not to celebrate but to pay respect and remember all people living with HIV/Aids and those who had succumbed to it.

A large crowd attended the event and was entertained with different traditional dances, gospel songs and dramas, all with the message that HIV/Aids has a negative impact on the nation.

A stall which provides for volunteering HIV/Aids testing and counseling was also placed on the show grounds and Mathale encouraged people to make use of it. He added that the province was worried and concerned about every death. “The virus does not know colour or age or person. It does not care about status of an individual in society or the size of his or her bank balance,” warned Mathale people who attended.

“We are urging all young people and people of all age to be faithful to their partners. The usage of condoms is something that cannot be compromised, irrespective of how much you may trust the person you are involved with,” added Mathale.