Times Of Swaziland: Derek was a strong, capable leader - PM

Derek was a strong, capable leader - PM
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The editor on 04/04/2013 00:00:00


MBABANE - National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) Director
Derek von Wissell has been a strong and capable leader, said Prime Minister (PM)
Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini yesterday.
The PM recalled that in 1994, Swaziland was hit by HIV and AIDS and then,
Anti-Retrovital Treat-ment (ART) was not available.
HIV at the time was a death sentence.
The PM said this during Von Wissell’s farewell function at Cabinet offices.
Dlamini noted that the then Minister of Health, von Wissell released the first
case study on the impact of HIV in Swaziland.
"Derek had immediately responded by advocating a government response and he
became a very prominent advocate in those early years when our society was
experiencing a significant degree of denial. He was clearly a man passionate
about the need to address the pandemic in an effective manner," Dlamini noted.
The PM further stated: "The pandemic was destroying families and communities and
doing a great deal to damage the Swazi economy. To meet all expectations NERCHA
needed a strong and capable leader. And it got one."
Dlamini also said as a man born and bred in Swaziland, a citizen of the country
who is fluent in its language, a former Cabinet minister of a number of
portfolios and member of Boards, Von Wissell’s curriculum vitae was admirable.
He noted that von Wissell’s leadership skills were already clearly evident.
"As von Wissell leaves what has been his professional home, NERCHA, for the past
12 years, I feel we should all prefer to look upon this more as a celebration.
"Not only celebrating what Von Wissel’s has done for NERCHA and the people of
Swaziland in the fight against HIV and AIDS, but also for our having had the
pleasure to work with one of the country’s most effective professionals,"
Dlamini said.
The PM also honoured former Chairperson of the Crisis Management Technical
Committee Christabel Motsa, whose work effectively preceded that of its
successor, NERCHA.
"Under Motsa’s exemplary leadership, the CMTC brought together government,
civil society and our development partners, initiating a multi-sectoral response
to the pandemic. And, in 2000, the CMTC produced the first national strategic
plan on HIV and AIDS," the PM added.