President Jacob Zuma, a man who testified in court he took a shower after sleeping with an HIV positive women, has been appointed the co-chair with Hollande after being appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon (who must have been smoking his own socks – Ed). Ki-moon is establishing the commission to stimulate the creation of new employment opportunities in the health sector across all countries, especially in least developed countries.
“I am humbled by [the] invitation for me to serve as co-chair of this commission with President Hollande,” Zuma told government spin doctors SAnews.gov.za.
During a well-published rape case in which Zuma was found not guilty, Zuma was depicted in cartoons by well-known satirical cartoon artist Zapiro as being fitted with a permanent shower head hovering over him (see image above).
The focus of the commission, said Zuma, goes to the heart of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted in September last year, and which “could go a long way to address the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality”.
Two preparatory meetings involving experts are expected to take place in the run-up to the formal launch of the commission in Lyon, France, on 23 March 2016.
A second meeting of the commission is expected to take place in New York in September this year, on the margins of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The commission is expected to submit its report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations by 31 December 2016.
Health workforce shortages are a particular challenge for all developing countries, including South Africa.
“I welcome and appreciate this opportunity to work with my co-chair and the other vice-chairpersons and commissioners to help make a difference in the lives of people everywhere, particularly in developing countries where women and youth continue to carry a disproportionate burden brought about by poverty, unemployment and inequality,” said Zuma.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 45 million job opportunities will be created in the health sector by 2030, due to a number of factors, including population growth and an ageing health workforce.
Zuma and Hollande will be supported by three vice-chairs: WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chang, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder.
