The controversial views on HIV and AIDS held by successive South African governments have led to allegations that the country is in a state of denial about the AIDS epidemic. This study addresses these claims through an overview of the South African epidemic, providing a comprehensive analysis of the complex politics of AIDS denialism.

Successive South African governments have had controversial views on HIV and AIDS which have led to allegations that South Africa is in a state of denial about the AIDS epidemic. This book attempts to determine the validity of such claims of government denial by formulating and testing a denial hypothesis.

'This fascinating book applies a denial typology in an attempt to make sense of the (in)action of successive South African governments on HIV and AIDS. The book problematises the long-wave nature of the epidemic and the insights presented here are also useful for understanding other instances of political denial, particularly in this age of climate change.' Maj-Lis Follér, University of Gothenburg, Sweden 'Although AIDS denialism in South Africa was uniquely devastating, it was driven by political mechanisms of a more general nature. Through this novel application of theory to a familiar South African narrative, the authors provide a set of nuanced indicators that will warn against recurring denialism on AIDS or other public health challenges, in South Africa and elsewhere.' Per Strand, University of Cape Town, and AIDS Accountability International, South Africa