S.African politician takes AIDS test, urges Mbeki to follow suit

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2004

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — A woman politician contesting the top job in South Africa's April 14 general elections has undergone an HIV/AIDS test and urges President Thabo Mbeki to follow suit and spread awareness on the pandemic ravaging the country.

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 on Monday 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...