Nelson Mandela fosters AIDS fight in South Africa; country starts HIV/AIDS drug giveaway

Jet, April 19, 2004

Since Former South African President Nelson Mandela voluntarily resigned in 1999, he has dedicated most of his efforts to the fight against AIDS.

During a function in Johannesburg, Mandela called on people to "demand leaders to give people the medicine, the care, and the treatment they need, when they have AIDS."

South Africa, which has more people infected with HIV than any other country, recently began distributing free HIV/AIDS medicines at the start of what South Africa promises will be the world's largest and most comprehensive national treatment program.

About 5.3 million of the country's 45 million population is infected with the deadly disease.

South Africa plans to provide free anti-retroviral medicines to all who need them within five years.

Mandela was presented with golden CDs and DVD of a November 46664 AIDS concert when he addressed the crowd. Artists who performed at the 2003 event, Joseph Tshabalala, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Thandiswa Mazwai, presented them.

The three performers were announced by Mandela as ambassadors for the 46664 campaign that was named 'after his prison number. The 85-year-old Nobel peace laureate spent 27 years as a prisoner for opposing apartheid.

The November AIDS benefit concert took place at the Greenpoint Stadium in Capetown (JET, Dec. 22-Dec. 29, 2003). Beyonce was among the artists to perform. It was the largest benefit concert in Africa and was broadcast live to billions worldwide via television and the internet.

The concert recordings are in three parts, African Prayer, Long Walk to Freedom and Amandla!