This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
The importance of public private partnerships in the battle against HIV and Aids was brought home in Uitenhage on Friday.
This, with the unveiling of the R20m Volkswagen Group South Africa LoveLife Youth Centre in Kwanobuhle, ahead of World Aids Day on Saturday.
VWSA managing director, David Powels, says they have a comprehensive corporate social investment policy, which rests on six key pillars, one of them being youth development.
"We see this project in a broader context as well.. a facility to enable young people to come here to do the things that young people should be doing to increase the awareness and sensitivity to Aids. We really believe its an important intiative for the local community," Powels said.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Love Life, Grace Mathlape, says the fight against HIV and Aids remains promising.
She says a recent UN report had shown that South Africa was doing better than many in the world with respect to the number of people on treatment.
Mathlape also says that it seems like a missed opportunity when social and development issues appear to be the preserve of just government and the NGO sector.
"The absence of the private sector will always leave a gap. That is why the partnership that LoveLife has with VWSA that has resulted in the launch of this centre is such a powerful thing because it's an opportunity for us to showcase what can happen when the public sector and the private sector realise the believe in the same thing."
Eastern Cape Health MEC, Sicelo Gqobana, says the province is making good progress in the fight against HIV and Aids.
He also praised the public private partnership that led to the establishment of the centre yesterday.
