Mbeki's toughest rival

2003-12-28 22:13

Jan-Jan Joubert

Durban - Time magazine has chosen two South Africans as Africa's newsmakers for the year, but this is no compliment for South Africa.

Time focuses on the battle Zackie Achmat of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has been waging against President Thabo Mbeki concerning Mbeki's eccentric stance on HIV/Aids and the way in which this has hampered the handling of the pandemic in South Africa.

Achmat and Mbeki are Time's African newsmakers of the year.

The article in Time claims that although Mbeki will probably never admit it, Achmat has been the most difficult political opponent he has ever had to face.

The magazine also highlights Mbeki's silence on the disease and his reluctance to admit the link between HIV and Aids while thousands in his country were dying because of it.

The article also quotes earlier statements about the toxicity of anti-retroviral medicines.

"Luckily South Africans also have Achmat," Time writes.

The magazine also explains how Achmat refused to take anti-retrovirals, even when he was very ill, until the medication was available to all South Africans.

"This year, Mbeki and the South African government eventually saw the light," the report states and describes the plan that cabinet approved in November.

Time describes Mbeki's personal opinion on HIV/Aids as "incomprehensible" and criticises him for not being involved in the recent international Aids concert in Cape Town.

Achmat is quoted in the article as saying that it would be very difficult to forgive Mbeki for the pain he has caused.

- Beeld