Speaker, the ANC is encouraged by the findings of a study that shows a drop in new HIV infections in KwaZulu-Natal. This is in line with the general decrease in the rate of new infections nationally as a result of the ANC-led government's policy choices and commitment.
These findings are confirmed by the study conducted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, which has found that the adult life expectancy of the general population in KwaZulu- Natal has increased from 49 to 60 years. New HIV infections have dropped as a result of the widespread availability of antiretrovirals provided by the ANC-led government free of charge.
The study reaffirms and bolsters earlier research findings published last year by the Medical Research Council, which indicated that life expectancy in the country had risen from 56,6 years in 2009 to 60 years in 2011 as fewer people died of Aids. Furthermore, 1,7 million South Africans are on antiretroviral ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]