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Some incorrect statements were made during the State of the Nation debate in the National Assembly yesterday, Tuesday, 18 February, regarding the operations of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), which may have raised questions about its effectiveness.

SANAC is fully functional and executes its tasks effectively as required of its mandate. It is the embodiment of the country's Partnership Against AIDS, and is the best-qualified body to harness and process the country's multi-sectoral response to the epidemic as it represents all key sectors and constituencies.

Meetings

Originally, SANAC was supposed to meet monthly but last year members felt this was not necessary. A SANAC review meeting held on the 4th of October at Tuynhuys in Cape Town resolved that the full SANAC council should meet quarterly to advise government on strategy and policy. The executive management team of SANAC meets on a more regular basis to implement decisions and to respond to urgent matters.

The members of the Executive Management Committee are the following:

* Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
* Minister of Agriculture, Ms Thoko Didiza
* Minister of Transport, Mr Dullah Omar
* Minister of Labour, Mr Membathisi Mdladlana,
* Deputy Minister of Defence, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge,
* Mr Thanduxolo Doro, National Association for People Living with AIDS,
* Mrs E Levendal, Women's Sector
* Ms L Nhlapo, Hospitality Sector
* Ms Joyce Pekane, Cosatu.

The committee will hold office until next month when new SANAC members are appointed by their sectors.

SANAC has held two meetings already this year, one of the executive committee on the 21st of January 2003 and a full council meeting which was held in Durban on the 1st of February 2003, and its decisions were well publicised.

The technical task teams of SANAC meet as and when necessary and as part of the restructuring of the council, the composition and role of the task teams are being reviewed.

Restructuring

SANAC is in the process of restructuring to enable it to meet its obligations as the country's multi-sectoral response to the epidemic as well as in its new role as the principal recipient of the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. This restructuring includes building the capacity of the council through staffing and other requirements.

The restructuring also entails strengthening representivity within SANAC. An invitation has been sent to sectors to send names of two representatives to serve on the council and the closing date for names is Friday, the 21st of February.

Sectors represented in SANAC include labour, government, women, youth, traditional healers, traditional leaders, the hospitality sector and people living with AIDS.

Sectors, which had no representatives and are being particularly urged to send names of representatives include business, organisations supporting children and orphans, academics and the men's sector.

Enquiries: Lakela Kaunda on 082 782 2575.

Issued by the Office of the Deputy President and Chairperson of SANAC

19 February 2003