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Mandela and Clinton join forces against HIV/AIDS
Maureen Isaacson. The Sunday Independent, 29 September 2002. Republished courtsy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
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The red carpet came to the dusty township of Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, on Saturday.
It unfolded at the loveLife Y centre, when two of the world's greatest former presidents, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela, announced their support of the global campaign to prevent HIV/AIDS among young people.
Mandela announced the new partnership between the Nelson Mandela Foundation and loveLife in support of the groundBreaker volunteer programme for 600 18- to 25-year-olds to increase personal skills and become active in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in their communities.
In a speech about "rolling up our sleeves and climbing into the trenches" to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Mandela said that the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS were indivisible and stressed that antiretrovirals were not a cure for HIV/AIDS.
He reiterated that the responsibility for the country's future lay with "every one of us".
He praised Anglo American, De Beers, DaimlerChrysler, Old Mutual and Transnet, companies which have established anti-retroviral treatment for their employees and the families of employees. Mandela said that this movement represented the "thin edge of the wedge" and that he was confident that it was just "a matter of time before we will see a huge infusion of anti-retrovirals into the health system".
Mandela and Clinton performed a brilliant duet. Mandela called Clinton "an elder statesman" and Clinton said, "The older you get the more you want things to work out for young people."
Mandela reminded the 250 youngsters - and the American actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker - that Clinton once said "the question is not what can be done for Africa, but what can be done with Africa".
Clinton said, "We have not done enough to demand that leaders give people the correct medication, and treatment when they contract HIV/AIDS."
Mandela said, "I applaud the government for ensuring funding and for its far-sightedness in recognising how necessary it is to get the attention of young people.
"I want to recognise the corporations here and appeal for your continued support and invite you to stay the course with us.
"Orange Farm is a product of the struggle against apartheid. Orange Farm is testimony to our people's fighting spirit," he said.
A number of new partnerships between business and loveLife were announced and these include reiteration of existing partnerships with the South African Broadcasting Corporation, the Sunday Times and Independent Newspapers, Custom Group Holdings and Spoornet, as well as innovative new partnerships with Mondi Paper, South African Airways, Ster-Kinekor, Sentech, the Vodacom Foundation, the Digital Partnership and medical aid scheme MedScheme.
The value of these partnerships exceeds R50-million a year.
The existing public-private partnership between the government and the Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation in support of loveLife was also consolidated.
Meanwhile, John Battersby reports that earlier on Saturday President Thabo Mbeki and Clinton met in Pretoria and discussed ways in which American business could support Nepad and South Africa's role in conflict resolution in Africa.
Clinton, who is on a five nation-tour of Africa to promote the fight against HIV/AIDS and bolster economic development, was accompanied by a delegation of US businessmen and Mbeki was joined by Alec Erwin, the trade and industry minister.
Bheki Khumalo, the president's spokesperson, said Clinton had paid a one-hour courtesy call on the president at his official Pretoria residence, Mahlambandlofu.
The two leaders had discussed the African Growth and Opportunities Act, which passed through the US congress during Clinton's term. The act seeks to give a competitive advantage to African countries exporting to US markets.
Clinton wanted to know whether the act was delivering the intended benefits. Khumalo said they had also discussed Nepad and the problems of capacity surrounding the body.
Clinton, through the Clinton Foundation, has expressed an interest in helping shore up Nepad's projects by mobilising business support in America. |
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