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SA joy at demise of 'Dr Beetroot' | SA joy at demise of 'Dr Beetroot' |
(30 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 with her. | A group of activists sang outside the Cape Town flat of Barbara Hogan and drank champagne with her. |
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. | This is more than in any other country in the world. |
'Ecstatic' | '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. | 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 possible harmful side-effects. | Dr Tshabalala-Msimang said the drugs were too expensive for South Africa and warned of possible harmful side-effects. |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is now a minister in the president's office | Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is now a minister in the president's office |
Instead, she urged people with HIV to eat lots of garlic and beetroot. | Instead, she urged people with HIV to eat lots of garlic and beetroot. |
Ms Hogan came down from her flat and drank champagne with the activists. | Ms Hogan came down from her flat and drank champagne with the activists. |
The Cape Times newspaper reported that Ms Hogan told the serenading activists she was "deeply touched". | The Cape Times newspaper reported that Ms Hogan told the serenading activists she was "deeply touched". |
South Africa's leading Aids lobby group, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), said Ms Hogan had been one of the few MPs to speak out on HIV/Aids during Mr Mbeki's time in office. | South Africa's leading Aids lobby group, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), said Ms Hogan had been one of the few MPs to speak out on HIV/Aids during Mr Mbeki's time in office. |
"She has a reputation for being hard-working, competent and principled," a TAC statement said. | "She has a reputation for being hard-working, competent and principled," a TAC statement said. |
"We believe that the period of politically supported AIDS denialism has ended," it said. | "We believe that the period of politically supported AIDS denialism has ended," it said. |
Ms Hogan spent eight years in prison in the 1980s for campaigning against the white minority apartheid government. | Ms Hogan spent eight years in prison in the 1980s for campaigning against the white minority apartheid government. |
She has been an MP for the ruling African National Congress since apartheid was ended in 1994. | She has been an MP for the ruling African National Congress since apartheid was ended in 1994. |
Aids Law Project attorney Fatima Hassan said the group was "ecstatic about the appointment of Barbara Hogan," the Sowetan newspaper reports. | Aids Law Project attorney Fatima Hassan said the group was "ecstatic about the appointment of Barbara Hogan," the Sowetan newspaper reports. |
"Manto Tshabalala-Msimang should have been replaced a long time ago," she said. | |
Mr Mbeki resigned on Thursday, to be replaced by Kgalema Motlanthe, who carried out a cabinet reshuffle. | 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. | Dr Tshabalala-Msimang was moved to become a minister in the president's office. |