AIDS Is South Africa's Most Urgent Development Challenge, Says Minister

The security, stability and development of South Africa are threatened by AIDS, and a new approach to fighting the disease is needed, an official said Friday. South Africa needs a "new vision, new ideas, and a new policy development" to tackle HIV/AIDS, Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya told government officials, nongovernmental organizations and diplomats at the launch in Pretoria of a report on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The report documents case studies of 14 HIV and AIDS programs that could help in mitigating "the socio-economic impact of this killer disease," said Skweyiya. He added that children are the most vulnerable population affected. Two-thirds of South Africa's 16.3 million children live below the poverty line, said Skweyiya. "This disease is killing people in their most productive years of life, decimating the work force, impoverishing households, shredding traditional safety nets and tearing the social fabric of communities," said Skweyiya.

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