Aaron Motsoaledi, a medical doctor currently serving as a provinicial education official, will take office as the new health minister on Monday - the second change in the post in less than a year.

The outgoing minister Barbara Hogan had won praise for breaking with the denialist policies of former president Thabo Mbeki and his health minister Manto Tshabala-Msimang, known as Dr Beetroot for shunning life-saving drugs for vegetables.

Mr Zuma immediately sought to dispel concerns about the appointment, calling Motsoaledi 'a well-known doctor who has handled this department at a provincial level in the past.' 'He is a very energetic and able comrade so I don't think you should be very worried,' Mr Zuma added.

But activists warned that repeated changes in a ministry known for disorganisation would do little to focus the nation's efforts on easing the plight of the 5.7 million South Africans living with HIV.

Mr Zuma carries heavy baggage into his fight against HIV. He's a polygamist in a country where multiple sex partners have pushed up infections and was number two under Mbeki, who caused long delays in the roll out of life-saving drugs.

But his biggest credibility challenge will be overcoming a 2006 bombshell while on trial for rape, for which he was acquitted, when he said he faced a small risk of infection in unprotected sex with his HIV positive accuser.

Mr Zuma, who headed the country's national Aids council at the time, went on to say that he had showered to minimise the chance of contracting the disease.

The much-ridiculed statements have haunted him ever since, despite an apology and his astonishing political come-back to the country's top office.

The new president has committed himself to strong Aids messages but activists want visible leadership for a strong national response. -- AFP