South Africa's first national, household sero-prevalence survey of HIV and AIDS was conducted in 2002. A second survey was completed in 2005 and this, the third, in 2008. This report provides an analysis of trends across the three surveys and begins to map the ways in which the shape of the pandemic in South Africa has changed since 2002. Indicators for assessing mid-term progress made in implementing South Africa's National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS, 2007-2011 are also provided. These findings will continue to inform policies and programmes with updated statistics and information and will be invaluable to policy-makers and strategic planners, health professionals, the media, researchers and academics.