Johannesburg — PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma 's statement yesterday that the government would change its approach towards HIV/AIDS was described by civil society and political and business organisations as a sign of leadership in the fight against the pandemic.

Jonathan Berger, senior researcher at the AIDS Law Project, said Zuma had demonstrated deep commitment and understanding.

He said the change in HIV/AIDS policy, particularly on the treatment protocol, was encouraging. "The president has projected a deep level of commitment and understanding of the challenges we are facing. Providing antiretroviral treatment to people while still in a healthier condition and making drugs available to public health institutions was very encouraging."

Berger said Zuma's announcement was a sign of leadership commitment that would encourage many people to go for voluntary HIV tests. "For him to say that he was making arrangements to get tested is good news because people would see him as part of the new campaign," he said.

Democratic Alliance health spokesman Mike Waters said his party "welcomes the new approach in the fight against the pandemic".

"At last the ruling party, the African National Congress, has made a U-turn by embracing and acknowledging the problem that HIV/AIDS is a reality that affects every South African."

He said the only concern the party had was that Zuma had praised former p resident Thabo Mbeki . "We all know that Mbeki was a denialist, but instead Zuma has acknowledged him. He should have asked for forgiveness because he stood by Mbeki and his policy while working as deputy president," Waters said.

Catherine Tomlinson, spokeswoman for the Treatment Action Campaign, said the new approach would reduce the mortality rate among children and adults living with HIV and AIDS.

"This is a promising political willingness that we have never seen ... in terms of government's response to HIV/AIDS," she said.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Group said it would give the public access to voluntary HIV testing at its centres around the country, giving people an opportunity to go for a free HIV test and learn about their status. "In line with our commitment to giving back to the people of SA, we are making our centres available to the public for testing during the month of December," said Audrey Mothupi, the group human resources executive.

Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS executive director who described AIDS as an epidemic of "inequality", said it was not too late for SA to reduce its infection rate by 50% before 2011.

"We need to change this dynamic of the virus while people are having access to drugs," he said.