Burger, D.Brynard, P.A. (Petrus)2008-05-232008-05-232001-06Burger, D & Brynard, PA 2001, 'HIV/AIDS - the slow onset disaster: disaster management perspectives and challenges in the new millennium', Journal of Public Administration, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 169-181. [http://www.saapam.co.za/]0036-0767http://hdl.handle.net/2263/5473One of the most extensive challenges that ordinary South Africans, and more specifically, the South African government is faced with, is to find a way to manage the looming HIV/AIDS disaster that is unfolding in our midst. The successful management of HIV/AIDS requires a holistic and integrated multisectoral approach that in essence is underpinned by disaster management principles. Notwithstanding the multiple and costly efforts from government, the evident rise in the statistics in HIV/AIDS seem to challenge those advocates that want South Africans and the world to believe that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is well under control. However, it deserves to be mentioned that government is indeed involved in various initiatives in an attempt to manage the HIV/AIDS epidemic successfully. In this article it would be argued that the management of HIV/AIDS according to disaster management principles is a possible solution to successfully manage the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The management of HIV/AIDS according to disaster management principles would lead to the suggestion that AIDS is a typical slow-onset disaster. In order for government to effectively manage HIV/AIDS,, it would be necessary to adopt an integrated, and multisectoral disaster management approach. In the absence of a medical cure, the management of the HIV/AIDS epidemic according to disaster management principles, is possibly an alternative way to understand and manage the HIV/AIDS epidemic successfully in South Africa.105750 bytesapplication/pdfenSouth African Association for Public Administration and ManagementHIV/AIDSDisaster managementSouth African governmentAIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South AfricaArticle