7 September 2006
At its bi-weekly meeting in Cape Town yesterday, Cabinet was briefed on the
implementation of the Programme of Action. The next round of media briefings on
the Programme of Action will be held during the week of 26 September 2006.
As part of the commitment to participatory democracy, the next Imbizo Week
will be held from 26 - 31 October 2006. Members of the executive from all three
spheres of government will interact with the public and communities across the
country, with a special focus on local economic development.
Following comments by Judge Nicholson in the case concerning prisoner access
to antiretroviral treatment(ART), Cabinet would like to re-iterate its
unwavering commitment to the separation of powers and to the rule of law. The
judiciary should not have any reason to doubt government's commitment in this
regard. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and Government
Communications (GCIS) were directed to study recent court judgments with a view
to understanding instances that could have led to perception that government
was not complying with court decisions. Such a study will help government to
educate its officials about the importance of complying with court decisions so
that the matter could be put to rest, forever.
The meeting noted the imminent summits of the India-Brasil-South Africa
Forum (IBSA) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the eve of the United
Nations (UN) General Assembly. The summits will enhance co-operation,
strengthen economic ties between developing countries, and provide platforms to
promote a multi-lateral order that is conducive to poverty eradication and
international security.
Cabinet noted progress with regard to the initiative to enrich uranium as
part of a strategy to meet our long-term energy requirements. Concerns about
the initiative are unfounded as there can be no doubt that our programme is for
civilian purposes. South Africa is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty
and an active member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We have
neither the intention nor any reason to develop nuclear weapons. In developing
the proposal, the government will ensure full compliance with international
conventions and protocols. A final policy and implementation plan will be
presented to Cabinet once a feasibility study has been conducted.
The meeting agreed to ratify the International Convention for the Control
and Management of Ballast Water and Sediment. Ballast water, discharged from
ships, poses risks to our marine species and leads to the introduction of
foreign species which may result in drastic changes to our eco-systems. In the
absence of legislation, the convention will assist our agencies to prevent the
pollution of our sea waters.
Cabinet noted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2006 Article 1V Staff
Report on South Africa. This is part of an annual survey of the state of health
of the economies of IMF member countries. A detailed statement on this matter
will be released this morning.
Cabinet approved the appointment of Members to the Board of the Council for
Geosciences: These members are Professor Ngoepe (Chairperson), Mr AP Nkuna, Ms
T Xaso, Ms ND Ntombela, Ms S Bansi, Mr K Hodges, Prof. JM Barton, Ms D de Nooy,
Mr D Clarke, Mr M Riba, Ms TR Mbassa, Mr R Hieber and Mr S Marius.
The following persons were appointed as members of the Board of the South
African Special Risk Insurance Association (SASRIA): Mr MC Ramaphosa, A Samie,
MP Pule, S Ntsaluba, NV Beyers, MM Ramano, C da Silva, G Matthee, J du Preez,
MM Louw, M Lehutso-Phooko and A Jules.
The following were appointed as members of the South African Diamond and
Precious Metals Board: Mr S Phiri (CEO), Mr L Delport, Mr K Rana, Mr M Lotter,
Dr F Peterson, Mr RA Baxter, Mr E Majadibodu, Mr L Grobbler, Advocate Mononela,
Mr M Groter, Dr ARH Colburn, Mr R Manoko, Mr M Luhlabo, Prof. B Tuoane, Mr E
Blom and Mr L Selekane.
The following people were appointed to the Board of the State Diamond
Trader: Ms L Makhathini, Mr PP Moeti, Mrs H Tyler, Mr O Temkin, Mr MA
Mngomezulu, Mr M Groter, Mr TS Montoedi, Mr S Motloung, Mrs D Maphatiane and Mr
L Selekane.
The meeting continued discussions initiated at the previous meeting on the
damaging allegations concerning our HIV and AIDS programme. These allegations
received particular prominence since the International Aids Conference in
Toronto. Cabinet agreed that there was a need to counter the allegations
through improved communication so that our country and the world can fully
understand our strategic approach to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Commensurate with the seriousness, scale and impact of the pandemic on our
country, the budget allocation to our comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme has
grown by no less than a hundred fold over the past twelve years. This is an
indication that this government is indeed serious about the fight against HIV
and AIDS, and that anything to the contrary is nothing more than a
misrepresentation of facts.
Cabinet rejected, unreservedly, all the unfounded claims that we don't have
a comprehensive programme to fight the pandemic and noted that our programme is
probably the largest and most comprehensive in the world. The meeting noted the
progress the country was making in the areas of prevention, treatment, care and
support.
The nutritional aspect of the programme plays a key role throughout the
programme, particularly during the treatment stage, and it complements the
various forms of treatment. Nutrition is not an alternative to antiretrovirals
(ARVs) or forms of treatment. This has always been government approach on this
matter and it will continue to be part of our strategy. Equally, the
misconception that ARVs are a cure for AIDS is not only misleading but
dangerous as it creates false hopes. ARVs are indeed an important part of our
strategy, and we will continue the ARV roll-out programme, but it would be
irresponsible for anyone to create the impression that ARVs, alone, are a total
solution to the pandemic. The government, once again, would like to emphasise
the importance of advocating for a holistic approach that must include
prevention, good nutrition, treatment, care, healthy and responsible
lifestyles.
As we do all of these things, we should not fall into the trap of forgetting
that prevention must remain a cornerstone of our national effort to overcome
the disease because, because if we fail to reduce the infection rate, our gains
will be reversed. Healthy and responsible lifestyles contribute to the efficacy
of all aspects of the programme. Each and every one of us must take
responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease by subscribing to the ABC
principles i.e. Abstain, Be faithful and Condomise. This message, and not the
virus, must be spread to all sectors of our society and to every corner of our
country. Cabinet is convinced that a common message by all stakeholders is
central to our success in the national effort against the pandemic.
Cabinet re-affirmed its commitment to fighting the pandemic in partnership
with all sectors of our society, and resolved that concrete steps must be taken
to strengthen joint action and co-operation among the various stakeholders. The
nature of this pandemic requires that we act together and spread a message of
hope and unity to all South Africans. In this regard, the Deputy President, as
Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), was mandated to
take concrete steps to strengthen SANAC, which is the embodiment of the
national partnership against HIV and AIDS. After noting that the HIV/AIDS
pandemic was not just a health issue but a government-wide challenge, the
meeting decided that an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) will be constituted
to strengthen the implementation of the comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme,
improve co-ordination and communication, and to monitor the implementation.
This committee will consist of Ministers who are members of SANAC, which
include the Ministries of Health, Education, Social Development, Presidency and
Provincial and Local Government.
Cabinet would like to re-assure everyone that our commitment to fighting the
pandemic remains firm and unshaken. Many of our doctors, nurses, counsellors,
volunteers and health orkers, health institutions and officials,
non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community care centres, families and
friends, are doing their very best to provide assistance and care to those who
are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. All the political bickering can only
serve to demotivate everyone. All the negative energy needs to be re-directed
towards supporting and strengthening all these constituencies. There are
challenges and we know that with all our best intentions in the world, we may
not be able to assist everyone all the time, but we are turning the corner. We
remain convinced that our chosen path, the comprehensive approach, remains the
best and most viable response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and we will spare no
efforts in making sure that we succeed, together.
Enquiries: Themba Maseko
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
7 September 2006
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