Microsoft chairperson Bill Gates flew to Pretoria on Tuesday to discuss the Aids pandemic with President Thabo Mbeki.
Mbeki, who has drawn criticism for his sluggish response to the virus that has infected up to six million South Africans, told journalists that health is one of the ”principle challenges” facing Africa and he wanted to discuss how Gates’s foundation could help.
”He has the passion and the experience to address the problem,” Mbeki was quoted as saying by the South African Press Association.
Gates, whose Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has invested billions of dollars to fight diseases such as HIV/Aids and malaria, said he was ”excited” to have the opportunity to take up the issue with Mbeki.
Gates is in South Africa to attend a Microsoft-sponsored forum of African government and business leaders on ways technology can improve competitiveness on the impoverished continent.
Gates told the conference on Tuesday that Microsoft is working with its partners to train more than 45-million people in Africa in information and communication technology by 2010. The company’s efforts include a new initiative with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation to support the growth of tourism in developing countries.
”By providing more affordable access to technology and helping partners build strong local software economies, Microsoft can help create knowledge-based economies in Africa that generate new jobs and offer new opportunities for growth, prosperity and innovation,” he said.
Also attending the conference is former United States president Bill Clinton, who underlined the importance of technology in helping Africa achieve its development goals.
”Technology has expanded opportunities of millions of people around the world and — whether expanding access to information, education or health care or increasing the collective power of individuals — it has an important role to play in creating a thriving, competitive Africa,” Clinton said. — Sapa-AP