The youth have to take the lead in a social revolution against HIV/Aids in a similar way to the revolution against apartheid, former president Nelson Mandela said on Monday.
”South Africans are beyond arguments about casualties and controversies about the relevance and efficacy of medicine,” he said at a youth forum in Johannesburg also attended by his wife, Graca Machel, and Microsoft chairperson Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda.
South Africa is faced by a stark threat, Mandela said.
”HIV/Aids threatens our future like nothing else for the last number of centuries.”
It is devastating families and communities, and undermining economies.
The success of the war against HIV/Aids could contribute to building a more decent society, Mandela said. People living with HIV/Aids need love, support and compassion as much as they need medicine and treatment.
Gates promised his assistance, ”if there is any way we can help out with this crisis”. — Sapa