Former South African President Mandela Speaks About HIV/AIDS to Traditional South African Leaders
Former South African President Nelson Mandela on Tuesday spoke to a group of traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape and urged them to "be at the forefront" of the fight against HIV/AIDS by providing information about the disease to their people and offering guidance and support to HIV-positive individuals, the South African Press Association reports. He said that the leaders should "take the lead in breaking the silence" that surrounds HIV/AIDS, adding, "The time has come for us to take real action. Destigmatization starts with us." Mandela also emphasized that information was key in preventing HIV transmission and in dispelling the myths surrounding the disease. "Your people need you now more than ever before," Mandela said, adding, "Show that you care and display true leadership in assisting them [in] combat[ing] the disease." Mandela emphasized that South Africa's people are its "most valuable resource" and are necessary for the nation to achieve sustainable development (South African Press Association, 10/22).
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