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Aids: Some are benefiting
03/10/2007 09:20 - (SA)
Richards Bay - African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma on Tuesday warned that the country's battle against the HIV/Aids pandemic was being threatened by commercialisation of the disease.
Speaking at a gala function in Richards Bay, Zuma addressed delegates who had attended the First Global-World HIV/Aids Alliance Conference being hosted by the University of Zululand.
"There is a commercialisation of the pandemic where people see possibilities of enjoying huge benefits out of it (the disease). It has something to do with drugs. I am just being diplomatic."
Zuma did not go into any details or say whom he was referring to but warned that there was "a politicisation of HIV/Aids by some people in politics".
He said the disease posed serious challenges to the country.
"These challenges in the address of the welfare and socio-economic reality of orphans and child-headed households have come about as a result of this scourge.
"Never in the history have we experienced this situation, because even during times of war families somehow remained fairly intact."
He praised the county's efforts to combat the disease as well the recently announced government plan to fight HIV/Aids.
More than five million people in South Africa are estimated to have contracted the disease.
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HIV/Aids Special Report
