The Inkatha Freedom Party appealed to the Northern Cape government on Wednesday to supply the anti-retroviral drug Nevirapine to state hospitals in the province. “It is morally unjustifiable to withhold anti-retrovirals from pregnant mothers and their unborn children. “Withholding can be seen as a crime against humanity and our future generation,” provincial IFP leader Hennie Bekker said in a statement. He said that supplying the drug would be cheaper than the long-term expenses of treating infected children. Human suffering and deaths also had to be taken into consideration. Nevirapine helps prevent mothers from transmitting HIV/Aids to their babies. KwaZulu-Natal premier Lionel Mtshali recently announced that major state hospitals in his province would be supplied with the drug. The Western Cape government has been supplying the anti-Aids drug for months. – Sapa
THEY SAID IT, from Sapa
“I have been called a Hitler, but I do not know where Hitler was born.”
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe during a meeting with Peter Schmidt, the new German ambassador to Zimbabwe.
“The tragedy unfolding in Zimbabwe is driven by one man’s ruthless campaign to hang on to power whatever the cost to others in the process.”
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
“This is a principled stand I have taken out of deep concern for the plight of unborn generations who are condemned to death even before they see the light of day, for sins not their own… This is a moral position to which every leader who professes dedication to the welfare of our country should commit himself.”
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Lionel Mtshali about the decision to provide Nevirapine to HIV-positive pregnant women at state hospitals, contrary to national government policy.
“If we are against the death penalty, let’s also be against the death penalty for babies.”
Western Cape Premier Peter Marais. His province became the second, after KwaZulu-Natal, to accept an offer of free Nevirapine for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the HI virus.
“If the life of a child rests on drugs, but she does not receive them, it’s a sin, it’s immoral.”
Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Njongonkulu Ndungane.
“One wonders if they took the decision in a moment of complete sobriety.”
Northern Province United Democratic Movement leader Kingsley Masemola about the African National Congress’ plans to rename a large number of towns in the province. The towns could be named after sport heroes like Benni McCarthy, Penny Heyns and Retief Goosen.
“The reasoning that the majority supports the decision does not mean that it is a good decision. Hitler’s Nazism, the British imperialism, as well as the old National Party’s regime also had the support of their followers at the time.”
Democratic Alliance councillor Nic van Rheede van Oudtshoorn about the proposed name changes.
“Do not dance on the graves of our ancestors.”
Northern Province Freedom Front leader Johan Willemse about the name changes.
“Whites who are poor are poor because of choice.”
New Azanian People’s Organisation MP Pandelani Nefolovhodwe.
“The truth is that a landless people is no nation… Homes are not built in the sky or in the air but on the land.”
Pan Africanist Congress deputy president Motsoko Pheko.
“The government will not continue to tolerate the poor living conditions of our population.”
Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila.
“Mandela struggled for 27 years, Gandhi fought for years and Bram Fischer had to go underground. But, eventually, they were vindicated.”
Rastafarian Garreth Prince after the Constitutional Court turned down his appeal to be allowed to practice law despite his dagga convictions.
“We don’t want losing to become a habit.”
Allan Donald, fast bowler of the national cricket team following their eight-wicket loss in a one-day match against Australia, their third defeat in four days.
“On a moral basis, South Africa is not Las Vegas.”
Boxing promoter Rodney Berman about the possibility of staging the Mike Tyson/Lennox Lewis fight in South Africa, after the state of Nevada refused Tyson, who bit Lewis in the leg at a news conference, a boxing licence.