| 1940 |
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The oldest Human Immunodeficiency Virus-2 (HIV-2) jumps from animals to humans, according to a Washington-based study in May 2003. |
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| 1959 |
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In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, a seemingly healthy man walks into a hospital clinic to give blood for a Western-backed study of blood diseases. 25 years later in the 1980s, researchers studying the spreading Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, take a second look at the blood and discover that it contains HIV, which is a virus that causes AIDS. Click here to read more..... |
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| 1980 |
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The first case of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is reported. |
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| 1981 |
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The HIV/AIDS disease is recognized in the United States and this issue places an unprecedented emphasis on the social sciences to address what is to become the most studied disease in history. |
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| 1982 |
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The first official case of AIDS in South Africa is reported. A South African man contracted the virus while in California, USA. |
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| 1983 |
September |
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The cause of AIDS is identified and the retrovirus is named as ‘human immuno-deficiency virus' (HIV). |
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| 1984 |
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HIV/AIDS Pattern II epidemic (where the spread is primarily through heterosexual intercourse) first emerges, but AIDS deaths throughout the decade are predominantly Pattern I (where spread is primarily through homosexual activity). |
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| 1985 |
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First deaths from AIDS in South Africa occur. |
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| 1986 |
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The World Health Organization (WHO) launches its global AIDS strategy. |
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| 1987 |
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| 1988 |
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The AIDS Foundation of South Africa is established as an agency seeking to identify and develop initiatives, which reduce the impact of AIDS in under-resourced communities. |
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| 1990 |
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The National Antenatal HIV/AIDS Survey is started by the Department of Health in Pretoria. |
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| 1991 |
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The Department of Health commissions an advertising agency to develop an advertising campaign. The agency incorporates a yellow hand and the slogan “ AIDS, don't let it happen”. |
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| 1992 |
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Soul City, a project of the Institute of Urban Primary Health Care, a South African non-governmental organization is established. |
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| 1992 |
January |
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The Department of Health requests the South African Law Commission to investigate how the law relates to HIV-infected persons. |
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| 1993 |
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Justice Edwin Cameron, a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal founds the Aids Law Project (ALP), which forms part of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
The South African Law Commission reports that the Constitutional Act, 200 regulates the protection of the fundamental rights of the individual and prohibits unfair discrimination against any person infected or affected indirectly/ directly by HIV/AIDS. |
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| 1994 |
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Talking Hands Puppet Company works with over 100 pupils in schools in Grahamstown to outline the issue of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. |
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| 1995 |
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The Department of Health introduces a new logo, the ‘red ribbon', which implies a new struggle in the fight against HIV/AIDS. |
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| 1996 |
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| 1996 |
1 December |
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The Department of Health hosts a special event, the National World AIDS day in Bloemfontein, Free State.In Pretoria, the theme is “One world, One hope”. |
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| 1997 |
25 March |
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The Department of Health's National HIV/AIDS and STI Directorate hosts a Workplace Forum on HIV/AIDS in Johannesburg. |
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| 1997 |
8 August |
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The Department of Health hosts a Johannesburg press conference for the National consultation on HIV/AIDS and STI review, to develop a common vision for an expanded response to the epidemic. |
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| 1997 |
October |
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Dr N C Dlamini-Zuma establishes the Interdepartmental Committee (IDC) as a mechanism to facilitate and strengthen the response to HIV/AIDS by Government departments at all levels |
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| 1998 |
16 June |
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The National AIDS Programme in the Department of Health and National Youth Commission launches an HIV/AIDS youth awareness initiative. |
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| 1998 |
2 October |
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Members of Executive Councils of Health from various provinces take a decision to not to introduce an Azidothyminide (AZT) regimen to AIDS sufferers. |
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| 1998 |
27 October |
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Research shows that about 34% of pregnant women pass on the HIV virus in the last stage of their pregnancy and through breastfeeding. |
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| 1998 |
10 December |
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| 1999 |
29 September |
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Religious leaders partner with government against HIV/AIDS. (At the initiative of Rev. S Tshelane.) |
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| 1999 |
9 October |
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The religious leaders pledge to take HIV/AIDS to the pulpit and other places of worship as part of activities to observe the first birthday of the Partnership Against HIV/AIDS. |
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| 2000 |
January |
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The partnership is formalized by South African National Aids Council (SANAC) to review its two years of work against HIV/AIDS being under the leadership of Deputy President Jacob Zuma. |
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| 2000 |
9 July - 14 July |
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| 2001 |
13 March |
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Mr. Tony Leon, Leader of the Democratic Alliance speculates on the declaration of an AIDS-related national emergency from the Department of Health and the Presidency. |
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| 2001 |
18 March |
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The Department of Health declines the offer of a large donation of HIV test kits made by Guardian Scientific Africa Incorporated. |
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| 2001 |
20 March |
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The of National HIV prevalence survey is released at Public Sector Ante-natal clinics. |
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| 2001 |
28 March |
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Dr Molefi Sefularo, MEC for Health in the North West province claims that North West province shows a decrease in HIV infection. |
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| 2001 |
11 April |
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Pfizer Inc. agrees to supply AIDS patients attending public hospitals with an unlimited two-year supply of fluconozale. |
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| 2001 |
4 July |
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South Africa comments on United Nation's session on HIV by declaring highlights of poverty, underdevelopment and illiteracy as main contributing factors to the spread of HIV/AIDS. |
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| 2001 |
September |
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A national HIV and Syphilis sero-prevalence survey is made in South Africa. The survey reports that care and support will sustain the momentum in prevention activities. The objective of the survey is to estimate the HIV prevalence in South Africa in 2001 and current trends in HIV prevalence from 1990 and 2001 among pregnant women. |
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| 2001 |
October |
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Mr. Trevor Manuel announces in his Medium Term Budget Review that HIV/AIDS funding would be increased through funding for the dedicated national AIDS programmes (communication, research & condoms) |
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| 2001 |
9 October |
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At its 3rd anniversary President Thabo Mbeki launches the Partnership against AIDS.
Partnership Against AIDS 3rd anniversary is celebrated by communities at New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. |
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| 2001 |
11 October |
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Statistics SA leads the Interdepartmental Task Team on Mortality to give effect to a Cabinet decision to prioritize work on the collection of HIV/AIDS related mortality data. |
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| 2001 |
16 October |
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The South African Medical Research Council releases a report on AIDS-related mortality in adults. |
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| 2001 |
19 October |
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The Presidential AIDS Advisory Panel, which conducted the bulk of its work in 2000, identifies a number of potential areas for research and the first one is the study of HIV testing. |
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| 2001 |
21 November |
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The South African Government unveils World AIDS Day 2001 campaign, “ I care enough to act, do you?” which is derived from the international theme “ I care, do you?” |
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| 2001 |
28 November |
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The South African Government and the South African Broadcasting Centre have a newly strengthened partnership in recognition of the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. |
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| 2002 |
31 January |
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Dr Eric Goemaere of Medicine Sans Frontieres claims that Khayelitsha shows the way for antiretroviral therapy with a pilot programme that started in May 2001. |
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| 2002 |
February |
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| 2002 |
22 February |
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Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Gauteng premier Mr. Mbazima Shilowa meet to clarify recent public pronouncements around the issue of HIV/AIDS and the programme against mother-to-child transmission. |
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| 2002 |
March |
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The Traditional leaders AIDS programme, joining traditional leaders and other sectors, is launched. |
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| 2002 |
17 March |
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The date (2 May) is set for the National Constitutional Court to address the South African government's appeal against a High Court order that the public health sector provide the anti-retroviral drug Nevirapine, to reduce mother-to-child transmission on HIV. |
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| 2002 |
27 March |
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National Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang approaches the National Constitutional court on the ordering of the anti-retroviral drug nevirapine to the South Africans who need it. |
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| 2002 |
April |
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A programme is launched to form a partnership with organizations operating in high-risk environments, such as taverns, bars and shebeens. |
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| 2002 |
17 April |
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The South African National Government Cabinet receives a comprehensive briefing on the implementation of government policy on HIV/AIDS. The meeting reiterates government's commitment to the HIV/AIDS and STI strategic plan for South Africa. |
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| 2002 |
19 April |
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Health workers will continue to get HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral drugs for needle stick injuries, despite a decision by the ANC's National Executive Committee that this practice should stop. |
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| 2002 |
May |
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An awareness campaign is launched with commuters and drivers in trains, taxis and buses on HIV/AIDS-related issues. |
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| 2002 |
20 May |
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Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang announces at a meeting of the World Health Assembly in Geneva that South Africa pledges R20 million to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. |
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| 2002 |
28 June |
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| 2002 |
10 July |
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Based on existing resources, South Africa can “easily afford” to provide HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral therapy to between 60 000 and 70 000 people in the next five years. This is the conclusion from a study by Dr Chris Kenyon of the Health Systems Trust and Dr Andrew Boulle, a registrar in the School of Public Health at the University of Cape Town, present at the 14th World Conference on AIDS in Barcelona.
An international group of AIDS specialists finalize the setting up of a clinic in Sharpeville that will offer services such as the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, treatment of opportunistic infections and anti-retroviral therapy. |
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| 2002 |
15 July |
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Former president Nelson Mandela calls on government and business leaders worldwide to find ways to provide access to treatment to those who need it, for all people living with HIV/AIDS. |
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| 2002 |
30 July |
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Instead of waiting for resources from national government on how to deal with HIV/AIDS, McCord Hospital in Durban implements its own fund-raising plans, driven by people living with the disease. |
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| 2002 |
8 August |
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The South African National Government Cabinet announces the go-ahead for an HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral roll-out plan. |
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| 2002 |
9 August |
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South African women continue to make strides in their attempts to find HIV/AIDS health care solutions in needy communities. Two women doctors from two South African provinces win the 2002 Shoprite Checkers/SABC2 Woman of the Year Awards for their dedication to the communities they serve. |
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| 2002 |
12 August |
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South Africa added three signatures to the document authorizing the Global Fund to release a multi-million Rand grant to combat AIDS, TB and Malaria. The recipients are the Enhanced Care Initiative in KwaZulu-Natal, LoveLife and Soul City. |
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| 2002 |
25 August |
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The Medicines Control Council (MCC) threatens to de-register the HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral Nevirapine unless further studies and appropriate documentation can show its efficacy in the prevention of mother to child transmisssion of HIV. Dr. Glenda Grey of the Peri-Natal HIV Research Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital argues that enough evidence has already been presented. |
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| 2002 |
9 September |
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Dr Khwezi Matoti who runs the AIDS clinic at the Gugulethu Day Hospital publicly explains when antiretroviral drugs become necessary. |
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| 2002 |
15 September |
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An antenatal survey is conducted by the Department of Health the first since 1990. An internationally recognized tool for estimating the magnitude, growth and spread of the HIV epidemic over time, the latest South African survey reveals that 5,3 million people in this country are living with HIV or AIDS. |
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| 2002 |
9 October |
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| 2002 |
10 October |
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SA President Thabo Mbeki is publicly opposed to the provision of AIDS drugs in South Africa, arguing that they are dangerously toxic and questioning whether HIV or poverty is the true cause of AIDS. Click here to see an early article on this issue by President Thabo Mbeki. |
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| 2002 |
25 October |
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During a period of great controversy over HIV/AIDS treatment in South Africa, health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang attends the 2nd National Health Providers' Prayer Day, which is intended to take care of the inner person and uplift the soul. |
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| 2002 |
21 November |
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The South African Government issues a statement on mortality statistics, taking the five leading underlying causes of death among South Africans as HIV, TB, Influenza, Unnatural causes, and Ill-defined causes. |
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| 2002 |
5 December |
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The results of the survey by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and Nelson Mandela Foundation give cause for hope as well as reason to intensify action to combat HIV/AIDS through implementation of a comprehensive programme. |
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| 2003 |
21 January |
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Health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and the SADC Health Sectoral Committee meet and discuss the nutrition management of debilitating diseases including HIV/AIDS. |
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| 2003 |
26 February |
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The cost of a state supported HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral programme in its most expensive year could be below R10-billion and still be highly effective, according to calculations by the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and researchers at the University of Cape Town (UCT). |
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| 2003 |
27 February |
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It is announced in the National budget documents that investigations into the introduction of a national anti-retroviral programme for South Africans living with HIV/AIDS are far advanced and recommendations are close to finalization. |
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| 2003 |
20 March |
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Universal access to Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) will become an inevitable reality in South Africa over the next three to seven years, according the South African Health Review. |
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| 2003 |
10 April |
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Health activists address the R13-million shortfall faced by the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. By launching the “Fund the Fund” campaign they aim to pressure wealthy nations to contribute urgently needed funds. |
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| 2003 |
13 May |
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The Minister of Health presents her budget speech to the National Assembly outlining that free health care will be extended to people with disabilities. |
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| 2003 |
19 June |
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| 2003 |
24 June |
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Government's budget of R92 million for Khomanani, the government's HIV/AIDS communication campaign, is due to end in three months. The announcement is met with queries over whether the money was well spent. |
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| 2003 |
4 August |
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Protesters with placards reading "Save Our Youth, Save Our Future, Treat AIDS Now" jeer and heckle Health minister Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at a national AIDS conference in Durban, to protest the government's response to the disease, which, it is estimated, kills 600 South Africans a day. |
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| 2003 |
8 August |
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A South African cabinet meeting decides to roll out a national treatment plan for HIV/AIDS sufferers. |
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| 2003 |
12 August |
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Two long accepted facts across the globe: that HIV causes AIDS, and that anti-retroviral drugs can retard the progress of the disease, are for the record, at last acceded to by the South African government. |
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| 2003 |
September |
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‘Personally, I don't know anybody who has died of AIDS', President Thabo Mbeki tells The Washington Post. Click here to read more... |
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| 2003 |
25 September |
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Treatment Helpline Direct stated that a person with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) could live healthily for a number of years. Anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs are needed only at a certain stage of the disease, when a person's immune system becomes too weak to resist infection. Blood tests to measure the strength of a patient's immune system (CD4 count) and the amount of HIV in their body (viral load) need to be done before taking ARV drugs. |
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| 2003 |
26 September |
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Two South Africans are appointed to a high-profile Commission on HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa (CHGA). The University of Natal's Professor Alan Whiteside and World Bank managing official Dr Mamphele Ramphela are members of the 20-person commission, chaired by Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa K. Amoako, and established at the behest of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Commission's mandate is to study the impact of HIV/AIDS on African state structures and economic development and to identify threats to governance. It will report back in June 2005. |
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| 2003 |
3 October |
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Justice Edwin Cameron says ‘a miracle happened and I want that miracle to be available to other people where they can be given their lives back'. He advocates rolling out of ARVs to HIV/AIDS sufferers. |
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| 2003 |
6 October |
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The HIV/AIDS activism organization Treatment Action Campaign, is awarded the prestigious Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights. |
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| 2003 |
7 October |
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At least one-fifth of South Africa's military is infected with the virus that causes AIDS, and Defense Minister Mosiuoa Lekota states that ‘the South African National Defense Force is no longer accepting HIV positive people into their ranks'.
Treatment Action Campaign chairperson Zackie Achmat starts antiretroviral therapy but lives with the guilt of having access to the life-prolonging drugs while fellow South Africans wait for the roll-out of ARVs in the public health sector. |
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| 2003 |
8 October |
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According to the Washington Post, South Africa is one of the countries most affected by HIV and AIDS. About 4.7 million people (±11 % of the population) are infected with the virus. Between 600 and 1,000 die each day from the disease and related complications. |
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| 2003 |
15 October |
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A young Pretoria couple start legal action against 1 Military Hospital for at least R800 000 for trauma and shock, when a doctor admitted a mistake after telling her she was HIV positive. |
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| 2003 |
19 October |
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| 2003 |
19 November |
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The South African government announces its Operational Plan for Comprehensive Treatment and Care for HIV and AIDS |
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| 2003 |
1 December |
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World Aids Day. Currently, of the more than 50 million people living with HIV/Aids globally, 60% of these are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Estimates conclude that about 28.1 million deaths worldwide have occurred, with 5 more people dying every minute. |
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