On the African National Congress and AIDS

The country needs someone with independence and imagination to lead its fight against HIV/AIDS, which is a "war of enormous magnitude." These sentiments ... are shared by many.

Sadly, it appears that this country is nowhere near finding that person, especially not from the ruling party. The national executive committee of the ANC has proved that it has no independence at all from its president.

In a statement released after its final meeting for the year, the NEC said it was satisfied that "significant progress ... had been made in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS, encouraging prevention, combating prejudice and discrimination, and building a foundation for adequate treatment and care." What country are these people living in?

When every sensible person can see that we need to stem the onward march of HIV/AIDS now, the ANC says we still need research on treatment. What we need is for the people to look elsewhere for courageous answers and to leave the ANC with its head stuck in a morass of cowardice.

-- The Star, Johannesburg, South Africa