There has been little press coverage of Mbeki’s controversial understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic ever since the decision was taken to “withdraw” him from the debate. By this it is meant that the negative media coverage of the outdated and unhelpful constructs that Mbeki was purporting were harming the ruling party’s reputation, since the public already had concerns over the outdated and unhelpful attitude of Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.

Although the reemergence of this topic might be painful to those working in the fight against AIDS, it might simultaneously be a sign of encouragement. The fact that media exposure and international condemnation led to the President having to bite his tongue, while everyone else began finding answers to the crisis, means that democratic forces made significant ground in the fight for a rational and empirical approach to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

The President seems unlikely to alter his personal views regarding HIV and AIDS, but thankfully this no longer means an inevitable regression in the struggle to save the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. However, one should be mindful of the positive impact that the country is being deprived of because of Mbeki’s stubbornness, and should ask: is it enough for the president of a country with the highest AIDS rate in the world to be ushered away from the responsibility of ensuring aid? And what damage is he doing from behind the scenes?

Matthew van Onselen