JOHANNESBURG, 1 December 2009 (AP) — The head of the U.N. AIDS program says South Africa is the ideal place for him to visit on World AIDS Day.
 
Michel Sidibe, speaking to The Associated Press in Johannesburg Monday, on the eve of World AIDS Day, says that while South Africa has more people infected with the AIDS virus than any other country, it also has a new government determined to end the crisis.

Sidibe says President Jacob Zuma "is committed to making change happen."

Zuma succeeded Thabo Mbeki, who questioned the link between HIV and AIDS. Mbeki's health minister promoted beets and garlic as AIDS treatments.

Zuma and his health minister have said past policies were wrong and set a target to get 80 percent of those who need AIDS drugs on them by 2011.
 
Source: Associated Press