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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| SA joy at demise of 'Dr Beetroot' | SA joy at demise of 'Dr Beetroot' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| South African Aids campaigners have serenaded the new health minister and rejoiced at the departure of her controversial predecessor. | South African Aids campaigners have serenaded the new health minister and rejoiced at the departure of her controversial predecessor. |
| A group of activists sang outside the Cape Town flat of Barbara Hogan and drank champagne. | A group of activists sang outside the Cape Town flat of Barbara Hogan and drank champagne. |
| They have long called for the dismissal of Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, known as "Dr Beetroot" for her advocacy of healthy eating rather than drugs. | They have long called for the dismissal of Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, known as "Dr Beetroot" for her advocacy of healthy eating rather than drugs. |
| Some 5.5 million South Africans are HIV-positive. | Some 5.5 million South Africans are HIV-positive. |
| This is more than in any other country in the world. | |
| 'Ecstatic' | |
| The government of former President Thabo Mbeki has long been criticised for not doing enough to distribute the anti-retroviral drugs that scientists say are the most effective way of combating Aids. | |
| Dr Tshabalala-Msimang said the drugs were too expensive for South Africa and warned of their side-effects. | |
| Instead, she urged people with HIV to eat lots of garlic and beetroot. | |
| South Africa's leading Aids lobby group, the Treatment Action Campaign, said Ms Hogan had been one of the few MPs to speak out on HIV/Aids during Mr Mbeki's time in office. | |
| Aids Law Project attorney Fatima Hassan said the group was "ecstatic about the appointment of Barbara Hogan," the Sowetan newspaper reports. | |
| "Manto Tshabala-Msimang should have been replaced a long time ago. Hogan is not a denialist," she said. | |
| The Cape Times newspaper reported that Ms Hogan came onto her balcony and told the serenading activists she was "deeply touched". | |
| Mr Mbeki resigned on Thursday, to be replaced by Kgalema Motlanthe, who carried out a cabinet reshuffle. | |
| Dr Tshabalala-Msimang was moved to become a minister in the president's office. |