Vuyiseka Dubula- Majola has been awarded the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law for the year 2018. This award recognises Ms. Dubula-Majola’s lifelong commitment to helping HIV positive people, especially women.

Since 2001, Ms. Dubula-Majola has been living with HIV in South Africa. She is currently the Director of the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management at Stellenbosch University and is the former secretary-general of the Treatment Action Campaign. She is also the founder of the Activist Centre for Education & Development.

The prize, initiated by France and Germany three years ago and given to 15 recipients this year, is awarded to figures who have made an exceptional contribution to the protection and promotion of human rights and the rule of law in their country and at the international level. This prize reaffirms the constant commitment of France and Germany to human rights and the rule of law and helps strengthen their cooperation in this area.

Ambassador of France to South Africa, H.E. Mr. Christophe Farnaud, and Ambassador of Germany to South Africa, Dr. Martin Schaefer, will host a ceremony in honour of Ms. Dubula-Majola on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

French Ambassador Christophe Farnaud: “On the occasion of Human Rights Day, and as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration, it is an honor to award this prize to Vuyiseka Dubula-Majola. Her life-long commitment towards better public policies for HIV treatment in South Africa, has played a key role in the advancement of the rights of HIV positive people in the country.”

German Ambassador Martin Schaefer: “Vuyiseka’s story is important because it encourages young people to fully take charge of their own lives. She has never given up her own personal fight with HIV, and has used the same drive to challenge industrial and political leaders to improve HIV treatment in South Africa.  Her dedication to the cause has undoubtedly inspired her community, and we hope will continue to inspire the rest of the world.”
Members of the media are invited to attend the ceremony:
 
Date: Monday, 10 December 2018
Time: 12.30pm
Venue: Residence of France, 807 George Avenue, Arcadia, Pretoria
RSVP: Lali van Zuydam, media@ambafrance-rsa.org or 083 457 3809