South Africa used World Aids Day on Monday to urge its menfolk to get themselves tested for the HIV virus that leads to the illness.

Health Minister Barbara Hogan issued the appeal after the nation — which has more HIV-positive cases than any other country — fell silent at midday (1000 GMT) in memory of Aids victims.

"We encourage all men, I repeat all men, to test themselves for HIV to protect themselves and the people they love," said Hogan at an Aids event in KwaZulu-Natal, the province hardest hit by the epidemic.

"All men, stand up and say, we will be tested. Every man in South Africa, as you are taking this moment of silence, stand up and say you will be tested," she said to the applause of the audience.

"We all know that together we shall overcome," she said, vowing that the health ministry will "urgently scale up" programmes to check the spread of Aids from mother to child.

Some 5.5 million people live with HIV in South Africa, out of an estimated 32.9 million worldwide.

Deputy President Baleka Mbete reiterated the South African government's determination to halve new infections by 2011.

"We must remember that many children are orphans because of this disease. We must be fully aware of the unacceptable trend of child-headed families that result from it," Mbete said.

"Women have the right to ask their partners to have HIV test before they indulge in sexual activities," she added.

"It is time for woman to stand firm in decisions that affect their bodies and the survival of their homes and children."

With about 500 000 people on anti-Aids treatment in South Africa, UNAids executive director Peter Piot said there is "no cause for complacency".

For years South Africa was internationally criticised for its approach to Aids, as former president Thabo Mbeki openly questioned whether the syndrome was brought on by HIV.

His health minister and loyalist Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was famously dubbed "Dr Beetroot" for championing lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and beetroot over anti-retrovirals as treatments.

But the tone has changed dramatically since Mbeki was ousted by the ruling African National Congress in September, with activists praising Hogan for striving to overhaul Aids policy.

AFP