Reflections on the South African HIV/AIDS epidemic

Abstract South Africa currently has more people living with HIV than any other country in the world. Despite the development of a comprehensive - 2018;National AIDS Plan ’(adopted by the cabinet in 1994), the establishment of a national education, information and media campaign, and some of the best legislation in the world to deal with HIV and AIDS, there has been no significant change m the rate and pace of the epidemic. Levels of denial, stigma and AIDS-related prejudice and discrimination remain high. Where did South Africa go wrong in addressing HIV and AIDS, and how could the response be adapted to slow the epidemic and, through a critical understanding of the epidemic, bring about social change?