ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the South African Government and the South African state responded to its HIV/AIDS epidemic taking into account the accompanying international and domestic circumstances and conditions. HIV/AIDS epidemic emerged in the midst of what would turn out to be the last decade of the apartheid regime's rule. This first drug, known as AZT, originally a chemotherapy drug developed in the 1960s, offered new hope for life amidst what was rapidly becoming an onslaught of death. GEAR derived from and decreed a host of changes in South Africa's political-economic sphere. These restricted choices in the country's policies. Rejecting nationalization in order to attract and retain capital investment supporting it with financial liberalization in the 'form of exchange control abolition in March 1995. Professor Sher once again stood at the forefront of this initiative to respond to HIV and to integrate sangomas as well as other traditional leaders in South Africa in the effort.
