Patricia de Lille, a long-standing member of parliament and the leader of the newly-formed Independent Democrats party, had herself tested for HIV/AIDS at the Chris Hani-Baragwanath hospital, one of the major health facilities in Johannesburg.

"The reason I am taking the test is because we are 10 years behind the rest of the world in terms of fighting the AIDS pandemic and are still in denial," SAPA quoted her as saying.

De Lille also urged Mbeki to be publicly tested for HIV/AIDS, saying it was vital for him to demonstrate "the importance of knowing one's status to the rest of the country."

She asked him to "show the people what to do instead of just telling people what to do" and asked him to "lead from the front."

The outspoken leader blasted the ruling African National Congressparty -- widely expected to return to power for a third straight term -- for a "lack of leadership from above" on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

She said South Africa needed a "leader to personify" the struggle against

De Lille, a veteran trade union leader, has been a vocal critic of the government's response to the AIDS pandemic ravaging South Africa.

The UNAIDS agency estimates that South Africa had 5.3 million people infected with HIV and AIDS at the end of 2002 -- the highest number in the world.

In mid-November, South Africa's cabinet approved the outline of a plan to provide Anti-retrovirals for those infected with HIV/AIDS, after several court battles between government and AIDS lobby groups, who wanted free treatment for all sufferers.

The government has started to provide AIDS treatment in three provinces in the country, but the lobby groups urged that more has to be done to help treat people with the disease.

TERRA.WIRE