Pandemicking

The Arch had us all charmed at the opening ceremony of the 4th South African AIDS Conference in Durban today – eloquent, funny and thoughtful as we know him – but he also had us enthralled with his outspokenness.

“I came here somewhat heavy-hearted about recent developments,” Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu told an audience of about 3,000 conference delegates, referring to South Africa’s refusal to grant the Dalai Lama a visa to enter the country.

What he didn’t say, but what was apparent to all, was that South African health minister Barbara Hogan didn’t share the stage with Tutu, as planned and announced in the programme, because she had criticised the ANC’s decision and might now face disciplinary action. Ironically, Hogan is said to be, at short notice, on a trip to China.

“At last we have a minister who behaves like other people when we face an epidemic of that kind,” said Tutu, lauding Hogan, while indirectly lashing out at her predecessor Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. “What has happened in the recent past has shattered me, and I salute our minister of health for [supporting the Dalai Lama],” he added.

Thanks, Arch, for being so frank and telling us what’s in your heart.