A/HRC/8/32 Page 14 congratulated for its continuing efforts in the various sectors to achieve equality. South Africa’s record in promoting gender equality provides inspiration to the subregion, and its commendable efforts in meeting its international obligations and its cooperation with human rights mandate-holders is an inspiration for all. 47. The delegation of South Africa responded to questions on socio-economic improvement and referred to numerous reforms and measures undertaken to redistribute wealth as well as to the various policies serving to enhance the standard of living for all. It was emphasized that without State-driven interventions aimed at directly addressing South Africa’s historical inequalities, economic growth would not be feasible, and reference was made to the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa and within it, a skills building programme. Most recently the broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act has become one of the most important determinants of transformation in the economic sphere. There had been a proliferation of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Charters, and BEE companies have shown tremendous growth since 1994, when the first Black consortium was listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange. These BEE companies were well represented in the financial services, the media, forestry, etc. The delegation reiterated the point that State intervention was often needed to redress inequalities. 48. With regard to HIV/AIDS and to improving access to treatment, the delegation explained that the Government had created Medicine Pricing Regulations in 2004 to make medicine affordable. The entire system was challenged in the courts, which upheld the system. This pricing regulation will facilitate access to cheaper drugs and assist in providing treatment regimes to those in need. The Government conducts annual assessments of the HIV prevalence in the population. Recent studies indicate a decrease in rates among the younger population, which shows that preventive programmes are taking root. Concerning housing issues, the delegation explained that prior to 1994, 15 per cent of the population occupied almost all of the land (up to 87 per cent), which meant that homelessness was linked to landlessness. Thus, several pieces of legislation had to be put into effect in order to address the issue of land reform. South Africa has strong constitutional protection and legislation to prevent illegal evictions and to provide judicial recourse for victims of illegal evictions. This was referred to extensively in the delegation’s prior statement. The Department of Home Affairs recognized that xenophobia has become an issue that needed attention. A Counter-Xenophobia Unit has been established with other stakeholders and was mandated by the Immigration Act as amended, which stipulated that in terms of refugees, South Africa needed to promote a human rights-based culture in both Government and civil society in respect of its approach to immigration control. In this regard, the Government has started introducing various training programmes for officials interacting with refugees and migrants. Measures had been taken to facilitate and simplify the issuance of permanent and temporary residence permits to those entitled to them and to detect and deport illegal foreigners, as is the practice in most developed countries. 49. The delegation indicated that South Africa is on track to achieve Millennium Development Goal 2 by 2015. The Constitution guarantees that everyone has the right to basic education, including adult basic education and further education, which the State, through reasonable measures, must progressively make available and accessible. South Africa has made great strides in widening educational opportunities to previously disadvantaged groups, mainly black South Africans. With almost 5.4 per cent of gross domestic product, South Africa has one of the highest rates of government investment in education in the world. University education is feebased, but poor students are assisted through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which disburses over R1 billion annually. With good performance, a portion of the loan can be converted into a grant. With regard to the reproductive rights of women, the delegation indicated