Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association (Johannesburg) - May 6, 2002
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine... let it shine, let it shine, let it shine," the minister sang along with her colleagues attending the ceremony in Johannesburg.
She said thousands of people in 35 countries would take part in the build-up to the official candlelight memorial day on Sunday, May 19.
"I think we are really beginning to turn a corner with regards to HIV/Aids in South Africa... HIV has lost its stigma, neighbours are there to help and support those affected," she said.
The theme for this year's memorial is "Share your vision for a brighter tomorrow".
"Let us pledge to fight against the darkness, fear and anger that surrounds Aids. The candle is a symbol of hope."
Tshabalala-Msimang declined to comment on the ongoing Constitutional Court case about the provision of anti-retroviral drugs to HIV-positive pregnant women.
Monday was the third day of the court battle between the Treatment Action Campaign and the government about an earlier Pretoria High Court judgment ordering a roll-out of the government nevirapine programme.
The government is appealing the order, but says the main reason for the continuation of the case is the issue of division of powers.
"The court case is about defining the separation of powers between the judiciary, the executive and the legislative," the minister said.
"I cannot comment about the court case because it is sub judice, but what I can do is outline what we intended to do (before the court order)."
She said the government started the nevirapine research sites because it wanted to understand a few unanswered questions about mother-to-child-transmission such as drug resistance, infant feeding options and side-effects.
"We gave ourselves until the end of December to do that... We have increased the funding for HIV/Aids from R375-million to over a R1-billion for the next financial year."
"We have also received US93,3-million from the HIV/Aids global fund which we will use among others for home-based care programmes and public awareness. "Hopefully we will be able to implement our strategic plan within the next two years," she said.
Tshabalala-Msimang will leave for the United States on Monday evening to attend the United Nations child summit in New York, due to start on Wednesday.
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