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Local government transformation and the challenge of HIV / AIDS.


 South Africa has one of the world's worst HIV/AIDS epidemics, with more men, women, and children infected than in any other country, except for India. The impact of HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality is already apparent in hospitals throughout the country, and the number of deaths due to AIDS will increase dramatically to almost 250,000/year within 3 years. Average life expectancy is expected to fall from 60 years to about 40 years during 1998-2008, while in 2005, there will be almost 1 million children under age 15 years who have lost their mothers to AIDS. South Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic seriously threatens the country's development and social transformation, and is a major obstacle to reducing poverty, with the potential to reverse many gains achieved during the past decade. Local governments will be most affected by HIV/AIDS, in terms of the expected impact upon community development programs, clinics and institutions, and work forces. South Africa's Constitution defines the tasks of local government as providing democratic and accountable government for local communities, ensuring the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner, promoting social and economic development, promoting a safe and healthy environment, and encouraging the involvement of communities and community organizations in the affairs of local government. The characteristics of developmental local government are summarized as described in the new White Paper on Local Government, and in relation to HIV/AIDS policies and programs.
