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Jacob Zuma reveals HIV status

Summary

26 April 2010

South Africa's president has revealed that he is HIV negative.

Jacob Zuma made the announcement at the launch of a new AIDS initiative.

Reporter:

Andrew Harding

Report

President Zuma said he was revealing his HIV status to promote openness, and to eradicate the silence and stigma that accompanies the AIDS epidemic. He told a crowd at a hospital near Johannesburg that he'd now had four tests - all negative. Mr Zuma's sex life has been the focus of intense scrutiny and criticism in South Africa. He has three wives and has also admitted to having unprotected sex with other women.

But if his private life is controversial, his public stance on AIDS has been broadly welcomed here. His predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, questioned mainstream AIDS science, and delayed the provision of life-saving drugs. Mr Zuma, in contrast, is taking a much more proactive role. The campaign he's now backing hopes to get 15 million people tested over the next year, and provide drugs to 80% of those needing them.

South Africa is the worst affected country in the world. According to UN figures, almost one in eight people are HIV positive.

Andrew Harding, BBC News