South Africa: Activists Praise New Government Policy as New Dawn of Unity

At a press conference in Cape Town Wednesday, South African AIDS activists paid tribute to the recent and significant changes in the government's stance on HIV/AIDS, expressing hope that unity and action would replace the rancor and paralysis of the past.

Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), which has had an antagonistic relationship with the government for years, acknowledged the political leadership shown by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo Ncguka. Since being appointed last month to head the country's HIV/AIDS initiatives, Ncguka has revitalized the long-defunct South African National AIDS Council, met repeatedly with activists, and effectively overshadowed Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who has publicly questioned the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs while touting the benefits of lemons, garlic and beets.

"We are now witnessing the emergence of a united front of government, civil society and communities in a common effort," said TAC General Secretary Sipho Mthathi. "Our task is to end 1,000 new HIV infections daily and to reduce the AIDS death rate of more than 900 deaths every day."

TAC chief Zackie Achmat indicated the group is willing to reach out-of-court settlements for the high-profile cases it has brought against the government. TAC has also dropped its demand for the firing of Tshabalala-Msimang, saying it is satisfied with the new political leadership.

Tshabalala-Msimang was hospitalized for three weeks in early October with a lung infection and has not been seen in public since. Her highly respected deputy, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, has emerged as the ministry's public face. At an AIDS conference last month, Madlala-Routledge stunned activists by her frank admission that the government has failed to slow the epidemic and provide treatment for its citizens.

Then, last week, Madlala-Routledge and Achmat shared a stage -- previously unthinkable for a top ministry representative -- and she spoke of her personal grief at losing two cousins to AIDS because they did not receive treatment in time.

Back to other news for November 9, 2006