Sir, South African High Commissioner Lindiwe Mabuza claims (letter, Aug 18) that “South Africa’s programmes are based on orthodox views linking HIV and Aids”. She omits to mention the distinctly unorthodox views of the South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang who asserts that the best way to treat HIV is with garlic, beetroot, lemons and the African potato.
It may be that Mr Tshabalala-Msimang is eventually proved right and the world medical establishment wrong, but the epidemic in South Africa is one of the world’s worst, with 5.4 million people infected. The controversy over HIV/Aids has been a standing feature of Mbeki’s presidency.
ERNIE TODD
Mairé L’Evescault, France