Johannesburg - South Africa's government is asking the nation to halt work for 15 minutes on Monday for a period of silence to observe World Aids Day and to consider ways of reining in the pandemic. Deputy President Baleka Mbete is leading the campaign, set to begin at noon, meant to encourage South Africans to think and talk about HIV/Aids, which has infected 5.5 million people in the country. Shortly before the moment of silence begins, Health Minister Barbara Hogan is set to address the nation shortly before, with UNAids executive director Peter Piot at an event in the port city of Durban. South Africa was long criticised for its Aids policy, as former president Thabo Mbeki for years questioned whether Aids was brought on by HIV. At the same time, his health minister and loyalist Manto Tshabala-Msimang was dubbed "Dr Beetroot" for proposing lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and beetroot over anti-retrovirals as treatments. The government's tone has changed dramatically since Mbeki was ousted by the African National Party in September. Hogan's appointment has been praised by activists as she has sought to turn around the country's policies.
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