![[South Africa] Protestors from the Treatment Action Campaign.](https://assets.thenewhumanitarian.org/s3fs-public/styles/responsive_large_2x/public/images/2721.jpg.webp?itok=koXW4BFy "Treatment Action Campaign protestors")
Mark Heywood, national treasurer of the South African AIDS lobby group, Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), used the International AIDS Conference in Toronto as a platform on Thursday to implore the world to speak out against what he described as the South African government's lack of political leadership in combating HIV/AIDS.
"One of the greatest missing pieces in this conference has been the question of political leadership," he told delegates. "Without political leadership it will not be possible to turn the scientific discoveries we've heard about into public health initiatives."
South Africa has more than five million HIV positive people, and of the 800,000 in urgent need of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, just 180,000 receive it. Heywood blamed the silence of world leaders about South Africa's "failures" to tackle HIV on "global geopolitics and the rules of 'diplomacy'".
"It's likely I'll be accused of being disloyal and unpatriotic, but AIDS in South Africa is not for the South African government alone - it is a matter for the global community," he said. "When this many people are dying, the world has to speak up."
Describing the lack of access to treatment for large numbers of infected South Africans as a human rights violation, Heywood called for the resignation of South Africa's Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. He and other speakers were later joined on-stage by TAC supporters holding placards saying: "Fire Manto Now."
Prof Alan Whiteside of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who was in the audience, pointed out that South Africa was not alone in lacking leadership in HIV. Governments in many other countries have been guilty of denial and foot-dragging, while leaders from the G8 countries have failed to deliver on promises. "The next five years needs to be about social mobilisation," he said.
Other speakers and delegates criticised the attention given to high-profile western donors, like Bill Gates and Bill Clinton, and new prevention and treatment technologies. The real fight, they said, was not about money or science, but about creating a larger movement for social and economic justice.
Gregg Gonsalves of the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa said the "root causes that drive health disparities" should be examined. "It's no coincidence that these multiple epidemics exist among marginalised communities across the globe."
Musimbi Kanyoro, general secretary of the World Young Men's Christian Association, who shared the stage with Heywood, argued that while governments have much work to do, civil society, the private sector and individuals should also take moral responsibility for reversing the HIV epidemic. "We need leadership at every level," she said. "In our hospitals, in our homes and in our youth clubs."
"One of the greatest missing pieces in this conference has been the question of political leadership," he told delegates. "Without political leadership it will not be possible to turn the scientific discoveries we've heard about into public health initiatives."
South Africa has more than five million HIV positive people, and of the 800,000 in urgent need of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, just 180,000 receive it. Heywood blamed the silence of world leaders about South Africa's "failures" to tackle HIV on "global geopolitics and the rules of 'diplomacy'".
"It's likely I'll be accused of being disloyal and unpatriotic, but AIDS in South Africa is not for the South African government alone - it is a matter for the global community," he said. "When this many people are dying, the world has to speak up."
Describing the lack of access to treatment for large numbers of infected South Africans as a human rights violation, Heywood called for the resignation of South Africa's Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. He and other speakers were later joined on-stage by TAC supporters holding placards saying: "Fire Manto Now."
Prof Alan Whiteside of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who was in the audience, pointed out that South Africa was not alone in lacking leadership in HIV. Governments in many other countries have been guilty of denial and foot-dragging, while leaders from the G8 countries have failed to deliver on promises. "The next five years needs to be about social mobilisation," he said.
Other speakers and delegates criticised the attention given to high-profile western donors, like Bill Gates and Bill Clinton, and new prevention and treatment technologies. The real fight, they said, was not about money or science, but about creating a larger movement for social and economic justice.
Gregg Gonsalves of the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa said the "root causes that drive health disparities" should be examined. "It's no coincidence that these multiple epidemics exist among marginalised communities across the globe."
Musimbi Kanyoro, general secretary of the World Young Men's Christian Association, who shared the stage with Heywood, argued that while governments have much work to do, civil society, the private sector and individuals should also take moral responsibility for reversing the HIV epidemic. "We need leadership at every level," she said. "In our hospitals, in our homes and in our youth clubs."
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