Times Of Swaziland: KING TO LEAD FIGHT FOR AN AIDS-FREE SD BY 2022 KING TO LEAD FIGHT FOR AN AIDS-FREE SD BY 2022 ================================================================================ BY MUSA SIMELANE on 20/02/2015 04:14:00 LOBAMBA – His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday made a bold declaration that he will personally make sure that Swaziland is HIV/AIDS free when it reaches the First World status. This means that the country will be free of the epidemic in seven years time if Vision 2022 is to be referred to here. The King made this bold statement at the official opening of the second session of the 10th Parliament yesterday. He also categorically denounced all HIV stigma and discrimination saying that it must completely come to an end in Swaziland. These assertions were met with deafening cheers by Members of Parliament (MPs) as they were pleasantly surprised. The King drew attention to the fact that the kingdom was now well positioned to become one of the first African countries with a generalised epidemic in order to attain an AIDS-free generation. And, it was highly commendable that the country was considered among the top-20 countries that have made major strides in combating HIV and AIDS. “The recent years have seen huge reductions in the number of people who are newly infected with HIV, while more people in need of the treatment are receiving it and are enjoying a longer life,” he pointed out. For this positive trend, His Majesty expressed gratitude to the Global Fund for its contribution, as well as all the institutions and individuals, who made significant financial and technical contribution towards helping Swaziland to achieve these results. While the world’s scientists were busy searching for a cure for HIV, His Majesty encouraged all Swazis to continue playing their part in preventing new infections.