Mandla Mandela says that AIDS robbed him of his father. In a statement issued on Tuesday‚ the grandson of Nelson Mandela joined the campaign to fight AIDS by talking about his father‚ Makgatho Lewanika Mandela.
Mandla said great strides had been taken since his father died‚ especially after Nelson Mandela moved to destigmatise HIV-positive people by admitting that his son‚ Makgatho‚ had died of AIDS.
Mandla also suggested a return to traditional values part of the fight: “We must ensure that we encourage and advocate a culture change that ensures that young and not so young people revert to our traditional cultural values that encourages delayed sexual gratification until marriage‚ safe sex‚ taking responsibility and providing support to those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.”
He said the consequences of the silence around AIDS had “undoubtedly contributed to a scenario of non-disclosure that borders on the criminal as prospective partners have no idea that they are putting their lives at risk”.
“We must be conscious of the fact that we are now dealing with an inter-generational challenge and we must encourage all and sundry to take an HIV/AIDS test to ensure that they and their loved ones are safe or are receiving appropriate screening‚ testing and‚ where necessary‚ treatment.”
AIDS robbed me of my father‚ says Mandla Mandela
Mandla said great strides had been taken since his father died‚ especially after Nelson Mandela moved to destigmatise HIV-positive people by admitting that his son‚ Makgatho‚ had died of AIDS.
Mandla also suggested a return to traditional values part of the fight: “We must ensure that we encourage and advocate a culture change that ensures that young and not so young people revert to our traditional cultural values that encourages delayed sexual gratification until marriage‚ safe sex‚ taking responsibility and providing support to those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.”
He said the consequences of the silence around AIDS had “undoubtedly contributed to a scenario of non-disclosure that borders on the criminal as prospective partners have no idea that they are putting their lives at risk”.
“We must be conscious of the fact that we are now dealing with an inter-generational challenge and we must encourage all and sundry to take an HIV/AIDS test to ensure that they and their loved ones are safe or are receiving appropriate screening‚ testing and‚ where necessary‚ treatment.”
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