Will South Africas Next President Jacob Zuma Lead on HIV/AIDS?
After last week’s overwhelming victory by Jacob Zuma and the ruling African National Congress in South Africa’s fourth post-apartheid general election, many observers say it’s time to do more to address the country’s massive HIV/AIDS problem. SA has the world’s largest HIV/AIDS population, an estimated 6 million or 11% of all South Africans, according to official figures. Most HIV cases in Southern Africa are transmitted by heterosexual contact but new reports indicate at least a third of gay South Africans are poz. HIV/AIDS is even more dire for black African gays and lesbians living in the often hostile townships. The Independent: “When Zuma is sworn in as president on May 9, he will also inherit a country crippled by HIV and AIDS. Optimists point out that at least the country’s HIV infection rates have finally stabilised, but the harsh reality of statistics like these is that for the 1, 000 South Africans who are infected with the virus every single day, another 1, 000 die too young
