The campaign forms part of government's new and upscaled HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment plan, which was announced by President Jacob Zuma last December on World Aids Day.

Zuma has said that every South African should know their HIV status, and he took his own HIV test on April 8th to promote the testing campaign.

The objectives of the new, upscaled plan are to reduce the rate of infection by 50 percent by 2011 and to provide ARV treatment to 80 percent of those who are HIV positive.

Other objectives of the new implementation plan include more emphasis on prevention through information, education, widespread distribution of condoms and mobilisation of millions of South Africans to know their status.

Speaking before the launch, Zandile Thusi (not her real name), who is living with HIV, urged people to get tested so that they know their status and get treatment when they need it.

"It's important for a person to know his or her HIV status so that they'll get information on how to live a healthy lifestyle and get treatment, if it's necessary," Thusi said.

A nervous Lerato Mabena, who'll get tested for the first time, said although she was nervous, it was time to know her HIV status.

"I've been reluctant to do this for fear of the results but after getting more information on the disease, I'm looking forward to do it," Mabena said, stressing that being HIV is not a death sentence.

BuaNews