- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: US ACTOR BRAD PITT JOINS NELSON MANDELA IN AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
- Date: 23rd November 2004
- Summary: (U6) JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (NOVEMBER 23, 2004) (REUTERS) WIDE OF ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU WALKING TO PODIUM TO MAKE SPEECH (1.53) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU SPEAKING AT NELSON MANDELA ANNUAL LECTURE: "Over four million of our people are infected (by HIV/AIDS). It is estimated that nearly 400 000 people will die this year from AIDS. That is shattering news. But you know, I want to say that there is something here to celebrate in this awful situation and it is this: Most of the victims are blacks. And you would have thought, given where we come from, that whites would say 'good riddance to bad rubbish'. Quite the contrary, many of the most dedicated, most committed workers in the anti-aids campaign are white. That is something to celebrate, something to trumpet, and I want to pay a very warm tribute to you, our white compatriots, for your remarkable genorisity and dedication" (2.45) WIDE OF PEOPLE CLAPPING (2.50) WIDE OF AUDIENCE GIVING STANDING OVATION (2.56)
- Embargoed: 8th December 2004 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS, SOUTH AFRICA
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Entertainment,General,Health,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA9QUV0TAMEETFFSPYCPVS56BF
- Story Text: U.S actor Brad Pitt joins Nelson Mandela l in AIDS
campaign in Africa.
The billboards and posters from previous anti-Aids
campaigns still stand, but they have not been enough to
turn the tide. In South Africa, the country worst-hit by
Aids, public action against the disease has been vocal, but
not enough.
With an estimated 5.6 million South Africans
HIV-positive (2003), the AIDS pandemic is the biggest
humanitarian crisis South Africa has ever seen Government
initiative
s have only recently begun to make
an impact on education and the stigma surrounding a disease
that is regularly kept secret by sufferers and their
families, persists.
Now the anti-Aids drive is getting some heavy-hitting
support from some of the world's best-know faces.
On Tuesday (November 23), South Africa's public
broadcaster began running an advert put together by the
Nelson Mandela fund, featuring not only Mandela, but also
U.S. actor Brad Pitt, calling for more action to fight
HIV/Aids.
Mandela is using his former prison number - 4664 - to
help create more awareness of HIV/Aids.
Business and civil society in South Africa have already
responded to Mandela's appeal by agreeing to adopt a more
hands-on approach to HIV/AIDS. They are joining forces with
the 46664 Volunteer Campaign for World AIDS Day to mobilise
their employees, members and customers to volunteer their
time to an HIV/AIDS related project.
South Africans will be able to register their pledge of
support beginning 23 November via a campaign hotline and
the Nelson Mandela Foundation website.
But with world-wide interest in the likes of Nelson
Mandela and Brad Pitt, it is possible that the call will
make an impact way beyond the shores of South Africa.
Also on Tuesday (November 23), Archbishop
Desmond Tutu laid bare the reality of HIV/Aids deaths in
South Africa.
"Over four million of our people are infected (by
HIV/AIDS). It is estimated that nearly 400 000 people will
die this year from AIDS. That is shattering news." he said
at the annual Nelson Mandela Lecture. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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