Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association (Johannesburg) - October 8, 2003
"We are concerned about some of the discourse in the media in the recent period, singling out and misinterpreting for instance the pronouncements of the president as reported in the Washington Post," government spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe told reporters in Pretoria.
He was referring to a statement the newspaper attributed to Mbeki that he personally knew nobody who had died of Aids.
Presidential spokesman Bheki Khumalo later said Mbeki was responding to a question relating to his family and close associates.
Despite an explanation being given, the media kept distorting the statement "and creating once more a situation of confrontation among the South African public on such a critical matter," Netshitenzhe said on Wednesday.
He was addressing reporters following a Cabinet meeting, which was briefed about progress with a report on a national HIV/Aids treatment plan, which includes antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).
The report, compiled by a task team, was presented to Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang last week, and was due to be handed to Cabinet for consideration.
First, however, some issues had been identified which needed further fleshing out, Netshitenzhe said. These included the monitoring of patients receiving ARV treatment, human resources available for the execution of the plan, and provincial business plans.
"It is expected that this work would be completed as soon as possible for Cabinet to finalise the matter."
Netshitenzhe said the country had a comprehensive HIV/Aids programme in place, of which the final element -- the treatment plan -- was being put in place. "There is hope. That is the message from government."
On other topics, Netshitenzhe said the Cabinet approved the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill, which seeks to ensure better compliance with existing legislation, as well as the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Amendment Bill.
Both documents would be released for public comment.
The meeting approved a recommendation by the board of the National Botanical Institute to change the name of the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden to the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden.
It approved a policy framework and procedural guidelines for the management of official development assistance provided to the South African government.
Netshitenzhe said the Cabinet considered plans for a national imbizo focus week from October 13 to 19, when ministers, deputy ministers, premiers and MECs would meet the public country-wide.
They would seek to educate the public on how to gain access to economic opportunities such as micro-credit and skills training, Netshitenzhe said.
More than 400 events had been planned for the week.
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