Mandela’s World Aids Day message as relevant today as it was in 1994: Cope

01 December 2015 - 12:28 By TMG Digital

The Congress of the People (Cope) marked World Aids Day by saying “it is better to educate than to discriminate” and “a good starting point is to eradicate the negative stigma that surrounds Aids”. Leaving the usual politicking aside‚ Cope’s Dennis Bloem instead quoted the words of former President Nelson Mandela 21 years ago.“World Aids Day brings to the fore the message of tolerance and support. As individuals and as a nation‚ we need to treat relatives‚ friends and compatriots who are infected‚ with compassion. This applies more so to orphans‚” Mandela said at the time.“The campaign against Aids is the task of all of us‚ young and old‚ government and community‚ organisations‚ religious and traditional institutions‚ and cultural and sporting bodies. Aids knows no customs and it knows no boundaries. We have to work together wherever we are to preserve our nation‚ our continent and humanity as a whole.”Bloem said the late statesman’s “message in its entirety is as relevant today as it was in 1994”.“Cope wants to assure all compatriots who live with Aids‚ that we will actively take part in Aids awareness campaigns and that we will never get tired of educating society on Aids.“Cope calls upon the government to ensure that treatment remains secure through adequate supply of medicines and appropriate care at every clinic and hospital to minimise further stress on affected people.“Together we can conquer Aids.”..

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