Mandela asks for commitment to fight AIDS

Former President Nelson Mandela, speaking in a meeting of international dignitaries in Bangkok, Thailand, said he could not receive a better birthday gift the next day than a commitment by the world to take action against Aids. This was Mandela's birthday plea to the international community for his 86th birthday the following day. Mandela led a campaign in raising awareness about AIDS, especially in Africa where about 25 million of the World's 38 million HIV infected people live. He runs an AIDS foundation called "46664", his Robben Island prison number. Click here to read more about SA government and AIDS. Source: The Citizen, Saturday 17 July, 2004, p. 4.