2001 Press Releases

Bicycle Aid for AIDS
November 28, 2001:   Bicycling for health takes on new meaning as more than 2000 cyclists are expected to take part in Africa's first AIDS ride near Pretoria on World AIDS Day, December 1. The U.S. Agency for International Development Regional (USAID) HIV/AIDS Program is sponsoring ten riders from their AIDS education projects in the event modeled on annual rides in the USA and Canada. "Choose Life" has been adopted as the local theme. Bicyclists aim to equip community people with important AIDS information to learn how to avoid contracting and spreading HIV.

AIDS HELPLINE LAUNCHED. Frightened of AIDS and desperate for help? Whatever you need to know, there is one free number to call: 0800-012-322
July 30, 2001:   South Africa's modernised national AIDS Helpline was launched today by Minister of Health, Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. The lifeline offers toll-free help 24 hours a day by specially trained counsellors using state-of-the art telecommunications equipment. Every South African language is spoken and caller-friendly information is provided for HIV-AIDS related questions by one of 68 counsellors accessing the most current data available through the computerised call centre.

USAID, UNAIDS Sign $17 Million Agreement
June 27, 2001:   In a signing ceremony at the United Nations today, the U.S. Agency for International Development and UNAIDS signed an agreement for USAID to provide UNAIDS with $17 million this year. The ceremony took place on the final day of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS.

"To Pay or Not to Pay" Municipal Services Survey finds users willing to pay, but not financially able
June 28, 2001: People are not unwilling to pay for municipal services such as water and sewage removal, they just can't afford it, according to results of a recent survey exploring the effects of nonpayment. Commissioned by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and conducted by the Center for Development Support (CDS) of the University of the Free State, the research contradicts general perceptions about reasons responsible for nonpayment.

USAID and SA Government Develop Partnership
June 7, 2001:   Strong S.A.-U.S. relations are helping to tackle some of South Africa's most serious development issues, and a $50 million (R400 million) annual program sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is evidence of that, according to a recent review of the program's progress over the last year.

UK and US Support SA's fight against crime. Good News from the Department of Justice for a positive change
April 3, 2001:   Leaders from Great Britain and the United States joined the South African Ministry of Justice in Pretoria today to launch a new training initiative for district magistrates and prosecutors who try 95 percent of the country's criminal cases. The Director General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, and representatives from the Magistrates' Commission and Justice College welcomed the foreign funders and announced the R2,8 million program to enable 15 senior magistrates and prosecutors to provide intensive training in the country's most under-served district courts.

USAID and Commercial Services Trade Promotion Partnership in South Africa
March 27, 2001:   The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Commercial Services announced today they are signing a memorandum of understanding to promote collaboration on business and trade in South Africa, the most economically active country in sub-Saharan Africa.

Walter Sisulu and USAID boost Education Africa Renaissance
March 15, 2001:  Walter Sisulu and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have joined forces to enable training for 100 historically disadvantaged South Africans in effective business leadership and entrepreneurship at UNISA's Centre for Business Development.

Cracking the Housing Finance Logjam
February 26, 2001:   A R14 million (US $1.8 million) two-year project to strengthen South African housing delivery capacity was launched in Johannesburg today by Minister of Housing Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Director, W. Stacy Rhodes. The Housing Finance Resource Programme (HFRP) will provide the housing sector with expertise and funds to develop new ways for low income-earners to access finance to purchase or improve houses.

U.S. to Support Southern African Media in their Campaign to Liberalize Broadcasting
February 10, 2001:  The U.S. Government will donate US$875,000 to support the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) "Open the Airwaves" advocacy campaign to liberalize the broadcast media in southern Africa, with a particular focus on radio as the most effective form of mass communication in Africa. The campaign hopes to stimulate public debate on the pressing issues of the day by supporting a diversity of information sources.