Manto Tshabalala-Msimang Quotes
Manto |
"The incident of my illness was portrayed as an opportunity to turn others into champions of a campaign to rid our government of the so-called 'HIV and AIDS denial at the highest level'." (ANC Today) |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"I can't stop working. The health of the nation depends on it." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"I think the TAC was just a disgrace, a disgrace not only to the [health] department but a disgrace to the whole country. But I think, as South Africa, we really demonstrated that we are doing pretty well." Manto After the AIDS conference in Toronto 2006 |
Nils van der Linden |
"The words "Korean cars" and "bad wrap" are almost synonymous — to paraphrase Jeremy Clarkson somewhat, he's claimed he'd rather french-kiss Manto Tshabalala Msimang than be seen in a car from Seoul." |
Kgosi Letlape |
"I implore the minister to refrain from breaking the laws of the country...In terms of the laws of this country, anything considered therapeutic should be registered for that purpose, and people have to submit proof that it is therapeutic...And until that is done, you cannot go onto public fora and claim that it is therapeutic...Antiretroviral medication is the only treatment that is scientifically proven to prolong the lives of people with Aids...The medical profession fully acknowledges the known fact that optimal nutrition is important and beneficial to everybody...However the minister's emphasis of the exaggerated value of nutrition as a preferential means to manage and treat Aids is confusing a vulnerable public." South African Medical Association. chairperson Dr Kgosi Letlape |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"There is this notion that traditional medicine is some quack thing practised by primitive people... unfortunately 80 percent of our people don't care about 'scientifically proven'." |
Rory Carroll |
"At a cocktail party in 2002, I asked Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, a close Mbeki ally, why the government preferred to buy new German-made submarines instead of Aids drugs. 'Look at what Bush is doing,' she replied. 'He could invade.' " |
Patricia de Lille |
“I desperately need to get the message through to her that she missed the boat with her stand-up comedy act, called ‘Garlic, beetroot, lemons, African potatoes and HIV/Aids’. She was meant to deliver that particular act at the ‘Just for Laughs Festival’ in Montreal, which took place earlier this year. I have told Manto in Parliament before that she must stop scratching in the vegetable patch, but it’s even worse when she does her scratching overseas. Manto’s ridiculous comments would be laughable if they had no effect. However, her continued support for Matthias Rath and a variety of vegetables is costing our country precious lives. It is time we put science at the forefront of our battle against HIV/Aids in SA.” |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"People say 'your stall is great'. I don't know what they are reporting on at home. We haven't shocked the world, we have told the truth...I don't mind being called Dr Beetroot." - Health Minister Tshabalala-Msimang, responding to criticism of South Africa's garlic, lemon and beetroot exhibit at the International Aids Conference in Toronto...2 vials of pills were hurriedly added to the stand on Sunday after journalists
posed questions about the absence of antiretroviral drugs. |
Dianne Kohler Barnard |
"By the time the Soccer World Cup comes to South Africa, it will be too late for five million of us who will have to watch the games from a garlic- and beetroot-induced afterlife." Democratic Alliance MP Dianne Kohler Barnard |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"Shall I repeat garlic, shall I talk about beetroot, shall I talk about lemon... these delay the development of HIV to Aids-defining conditions, and that's the truth." Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said in debate on her department's budget vote. |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"Nutrition is the basis of good health and it can stop the progression from HIV to full-blown Aids, and eating garlic, olive oil, beetroot and the African potato boosts the immune system to ensure the body is able to defend itself against the virus and live with it. I am sure that loveLife will continue to raise that." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"beetroot, garlic, lemon ... and buy a bottle of olive oil. All these things are very critical." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"Dr Rath's work complies with and complements our programmes." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"I don't know how many [South Africans] with HIV would want to take anti-retrovirals." |
Jerry Coovadia |
"I am surprised by the manner she draws up her amazing beliefs... to speak of side effects [of ARVs] is contrary to what the scientific evidence suggests. When she talks about raw garlic, onion, lemon and beetroot, what scientific evidence does she produce? Her actions could have severe implications for people and the image of the nation. Some form of censure should emerge." Jerry Coovadia, the Victor Daitz professor of HIV/Aids at the Nelson Mandela
School of Medicine |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"When we were being pressured to use ARVs, we did warn about the side effects, and when I get reports about the people on ARVs nobody presents to me how many people have fallen off the programme or died because of the side effects." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"Raw garlic and a skin of the lemon - not only do they give you a beautiful face and skin but they also protect you from disease." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
" I think garlic is absolutely critical. Lemon is absolutely critical to boost
the immune system. Olive oil is absolutely critical ... just one teaspoon, it
will last the whole month." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
(Aids)... "could also be a God-given opportunity for moral and spiritual growth, a time to review our assumptions about sin and morality". |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"Look at what Bush is doing. He could invade." ... Manto on why money needs to be spent on defence rather than treating AIDS |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"Some are going to be disappointed that we are not going to give the ARVs [antiretrovirals] tomorrow, but it is this message which does not get through - that people are getting treatment even if there are no ARVs." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"Today I want to dispel this myth, because it is absolutely not true .[ that ARV's work ] The pharmaceutical industry and those who have a vested interest in the drug industry fuels this propaganda." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"We (the ANC government) have no plans to introduce the wholesale administration of these drugs in the public sector. ARVs are not a cure for Aids." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
Robbie: You have said that the policy of the ministry is well known. Do you accept that HIV causes Aids? Tshabalala-Msimang: Why do you ask me that question today? I have answered that question umpteen times. R: Yes, and the answer is? T-M: Umpteen times I have answered that question. My whole track record of having worked at the area of HIV and Aids for the last 20 years is testimony. Why should you ask me that question today? R: You haven't answered the question, Manto. T-M: Why should you ask me that question? R: To avoid confusion. T-M: I have never said anything contrary to what you want me to say today. R: So, therefore, you accept that HIV causes Aids. T-M: You are not going to put words into my mouth. R: I am not putting words into your mouth. I am asking you a question. T-M: Yes you are. R: I am asking you a straight - now hold on a second - I am asking you a straight question, the minister of health of South Africa, I am asking you a question: does HIV cause Aids? T-M: I have been party to developing a strategic framework and that strategy testifies what my policy understandings of the HIV epidemic are. If you haven't read that, please go and read it. And then you will understand where I depart from. R: Manto, Manto. A simple yes or no is the answer I am looking for. T-M: You will not force me into a corner into saying yes or no. R: I am not forcing you into a corner, I am asking you a straight question - I find your reaction bizarre. T-M: I would advise you to read the strategic framework. You have to analyse it. It is important for the media to inform the public about the positions of government ... It is time that when you interview people, not on yes or no, but on the tenets of the framework. R: Manto, we have gone as far as we can go. I find your reaction to that question absolutely bizarre and that is my final word on it. T-M: I am not Manto to you. Let me tell you I am not Manto to you. R: What are you? T-M: I am the minister of health and I don't even know you. R: So, what must I address you as, Miss Minister or Ms Minister or Mrs Minister? T-M: I don't know whatever you address me, but I am not a friend. R: How must I address you? T-M: I don't know - but you have to read the strategic framework. R: Bizarre. T-M: And I ... R: Oh go away! T-M: And I am ... R: I cannot take that rubbish any longer. Can you believe it? I have never in my life heard such rubbish. Here we have a situation where the minister of health sends out a document, amongst others, that is Looney tunes, that suggests that the Illuminati have conspired with the aliens to bring about Aids to reduce the African population. Now you get the minister on [radio] to explain this and see what happens. "Given that the president has led, not just in South Africa, but a complete world controversy, where many people think this country has been held up to ridicule at an international conference over this issue and given the proximity of the two, I thought it would be a good idea to get the minister in on this issue ... "... the fact that she would not answer that question leads me to be very, very worried indeed. I find that bizarre. Anyway, I won't call her Manto again". |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"There is not substantial data that AZT stops the transmission of HIV from mother to child. There is too much conflicting data to make concrete policy." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"South Africa is the only country in the world who gives AZT to health workers for needle-stick injuries. It's very doubtful that we're doing the right thing." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"The fact is that some of the mice [tested on with AZT] have contracted cancer. It attacks bone marrow. It is very toxic." |
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang |
"AZT was never meant to treat HIV. It was meant to treat cancer and, when it was discovered to be toxic, the drug companies stopped clinic trials of the drug because it was so toxic. Is this drug really one we want to use?" |
References
20 October 2006 |
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29 August 2006 |
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26 August 2006 |
"Nutrition 'not exaggerated' - Manto |
18 August 2006 |
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