On 20 April 1999, Judge Edwin  Cameron, from the Witwatersrand Court Circuit , during an interview for a position in the Constitutional Court, revealed his HIV status. . In the late eighties,  he discovered that he was infected with the virus, but for many years chose to ignore it. However, in 1997 he started treatment as his immune system was depleted. 

The incident which changed his mindwas the killing  of a young woman who had disclosed her HIV status on the radio. For him, this disclosure was to be one of the most courageous acts  he hadwitnessed.   It convinced him that his disclosure was a necessary act for the millions of South Africans who lived with AIDS in silence, out of fear of being ostracised, humiliated and the potential of violence being inflicted upon them. Cameron continues to be an active supporter ,  for access to proper treatment and equal employment for AIDS sufferers. 

References:

1. Brummer.W (2005), Edwin Cameron for Die Burger (online), available at: witnesstoaids.com [Accessed 12 April 2010]
2. (1999)Edwin Cameron has Aids (online), available at: q.co.za [Accessed 12 April 2010]
3. Judge says he has AIDS as it appeared in the ANC Daily News Briefing (online), available at: 70.84.171.10      [Accessed 12 April 2010]
4. The Interview: Edwin Cameron (online), available at: news.bbc.co.uk [Accessed 12 April 2010]
5. Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.