Nelson Mandela's son dies from AIDS

[Green_Gem]

Very, very sad news for the great man, Madiba.

But I applaud his courage on speaking out so frankly and not hiding it, as is the norm in South Africa where hundreds of thousands of infected Black people, too stigmatized and afraid of being shunned by their people, hide it and hope it will simply go away.

It's my feverent hope that President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who still propagates the notion that HIV does NOT cause AIDS, will finally wake up and smell the coffee and that proper treatment programs will be implemented for the millions of African sufferers.

My deepest condolences to Nelson Mandela and again, thank you for your courage!

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,6119,2-7-1442_1643870,00.html

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Aids_Focus/0,6119,2-7-659_1644173,00.html

Green_Gem

 

[neonlyte]

Mandela continues to show leadership in a continent sorely devoid of leadership.

Mbeki fails to understand the damage his stance causes, many in the 'developed world' view Mbeki's statements on AIDS as justification for not helping a people who will not help themselves - I heard this view repeated on a radio program yesterday - the notion is that 'we' will dig into our pockets to help where natural disaster occurs but not when people repeat the same mistakes and remain blind to the facts of their plight.

On the African continent more people die each week from illness and starvation than died in the recent Tsuami disaster, it is a problem without an immediate solution. Mbeki's position makes it more difficult to generate the willingness to help rebuild a ravaged continent.

Peace be with you Mr Mandela and your family.

 

[steve w]

GG,

Deepest condolences to Mr Mandela. The one hope in such a sad situation is that this particular death might stir the ANC leadership into looking after the "ordinary" people who work, struggle and vote so that they can enjoy their comfortable lifestyle.

I thought that the government had finally committed a few months ago (after much prevaricating which cost thousands of lives) to providing anti retroviral drugs. Obviously this was either politician-speak or it is slow to be implemented.

Let's hope the death affects the nation so profoundly that HIV sufferers get the attention they need. My understanding is that South Africa can actually afford the drugs - the argument, as you say, revolves around outmoded and dangerous ideas, and a continued belief in "remedies" that don't work.

If Mr Mbeki comes to his senses about this, maybe he can turn his attention to the murdering bastard next door.

Here's hoping.

 

[Guest]

Sad news indeed.

 

[Black Tulip]

GG,

Deepest condolences to Mr Mandela. The one hope in such a sad situation is that this particular death might stir the ANC leadership into looking after the "ordinary" people who work, struggle and vote so that they can enjoy their comfortable lifestyle.

I thought that the government had finally committed a few months ago (after much prevaricating which cost thousands of lives) to providing anti retroviral drugs. Obviously this was either politician-speak or it is slow to be implemented.

Let's hope the death affects the nation so profoundly that HIV sufferers get the attention they need. My understanding is that South Africa can actually afford the drugs - the argument, as you say, revolves around outmoded and dangerous ideas, and a continued belief in "remedies" that don't work.

If Mr Mbeki comes to his senses about this, maybe he can turn his attention to the murdering bastard next door.

Here's hoping.

Hear, hear!

 

[ABSTRUSE]

What another senseless tragedy. It's sad when so many die from this horrible disease and yet so many are still apathetic or just plain ignorant
My heart goes out to Mr. Mandela.

 

[TheEarl]

If Mr Mbeki comes to his senses about this, maybe he can turn his attention to the murdering bastard next door.

Here's hoping.

Can't see that happening. Not Mr Mbeki's greatest fan, simply because of the company he chooses to keep.

My condolences Mr Mandela. Any chance of you running for President again?

The Earl

 

[landslider]

Sad news, of course.

But ole Nelson sure has said some nutty things, over the past few years, about the U.S.

 

[cantdog]

So has Rumsfeld.