Deputy Speaker, the DA wishes to congratulate Dr Nono Simelela who takes over on her new appointment as head of the South African National Aids Council today. So far, we believe that she will bring new life to this largely ineffective body and be allowed to play a forceful role in our national aids campaign.
Dr Simelela was the first South African black woman to qualify as a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist. She eventually rose to the position of Chief Director of the national HIV/Aids and TB programme in 1998. There she fought a desperate and isolated battle to lift former Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang's blanket of Aids denialism.
The fact that a national treatment programme eventually came into existence was partly due to the vigorous campaigns of the DA, the TAC and others, but also to Dr Simelela's hard work and commitment when all the odds were against her. Thank you. [Applause.]