The Irish Ambassador to South Africa, Brendan McMahon, visited Limpopo on Tuesday in an effort to strengthen his country´s partnership with the province in the fight against HIV/Aids.

Ireland is currently in partnership with the Limpopo Provincial Government and the Civil Society on poverty programmes with the focus on health, water sanitation, education and justice. The Irish government, through Irish Aid, has been engaged in a two-year partnership agreement with the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development to roll out the HIV/Aids National Strategic Plan at provincial, district and community levels, by strengthening the Provincial AIDS Council (PAC), District AIDS Councils (DACs) and Local AIDS Councils (LACs).

The programme is focused on preventing and responding to HIV and AIDS, with a special focus on the needs of women and children. Ambassador McMahon was welcomed warmly by Premier Mathale, who expressed his gratitude over the visit to the province.

Premier Mathale conveyed his appreciation for the support that his administration has been receiving from Ireland. He said there had been remarkable improvement in the fight against HIV/Aids since the introduction of the National Strategic Plan. Mathale also expressed appreciation for the support Ireland gave to the anti-apartheid movement during the apartheid era.

Ambassador McMahon emphasised that the fight against HIV/Aids was their priority. "HIV/AIDS programmes in the province have been running well, with people living with HIV/Aids provided with ARVs and food in the fight against the disease," he said.

He said the Irish government was also running programmes on gender-based violence in the Vhembe and Mopani District. "The programmes are aimed at reducing family violence, especially against women in the communities," said McMahon.

McMahon visited HIV/Aids projects in both Vhembe and Mopani.