No, not this site – although that was almost the case thanks to my ex-hosting package. Just like a terrible divorce settlement, they got the kids, the house and the car. Plus all my picture files. Grr. That’s why this place is looking a little bare at the moment.
Ah well, it needed a spring clean anyway. Look out for improvements and stuff over the next few weeks.
No, the subject of today’s title is none other than Dr Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang, who you would be able to read a lot about in previous entries on this site if they still existed.
Manto is still South Africa’s Health Minister – just. A bout of ill-health and a prolonged hospital stay for a mystery respiratory illness followed a storm caused by her questioning whether HIV causes AIDS, her endorsement of a diet including african potato, lemons, garlic and olive oil to cure AIDS, and her shady dealings with Mathias Rath: a German doctor who makes a living discouraging HIV-sufferers from taking their ARV drugs and advising them instead to take vitamin supplements to cure their illnesses. Vitamin supplements that he just happens to sell.
Manto’s job has virtually been taken from her in all but name. She has been replaced in most of her official duties by her deputy Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge and the deputy president, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. But Dr Rath is still hard at work. He’s funding his crony Anthony Brink to bring a charge of genocide, no less, against the leader of the Treatment Action Campaign who have always vehemently opposed Rath’s (dis)information campaign. Needless to say, the TAC and Manto don’t exactly see eye to eye and many have speculated that she has a hand in this action.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people are dying of AIDS in South Africa every day. These are, for the most part, preventable deaths – the problem is simply the government is failing to provide HIV-sufferers in South Africa suitable treatment – the cause is the attitude and beliefs of the incumbent Health Minister.
You can read more on the Sack Manto Campaign website.