Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: As many observers have noted, political science is still largely dismissive of studying political dimension of HIV/AIDS. Since early 1990s, the South African Republic, along with other African countries, has been suffering from a deepening crisis in delivering health services to its citizens. At the center of this crisis is HIV/AIDS that spreads at an unprecedented rate. Many political observers and health activists have characterized this crisis in terms of an impasse. Now, the creation of the antiretroviral drugs became the trigger that spurred hot political debate in South Africa and initiated a wave of contentious politics among several groups within the country. In this regard, the role of South African President Thabo Mbeki is critical. Mbeki's dissident stance on AIDS and his leadership style remain enigmatic for the most political commentators and journalists. Indeed, Mbeki was rejecting the rollout of antiretroviral therapy as a national strategy. Yet as the street contentious politics becoming more militant, President altered his HIV/AIDS policy. A pivotal task is to explain current dynamic of HIV/AIDS politics in South Africa as related to Mbeki's leadership. This paper is a part of the larger project that examines the leadership of South African President Mbeki and HIV/AIDS politics in South Africa.