Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Reuters NewMedia - Saturday November 2, 2002
The move, which came as Mandela neared the end of a visit to Britain, aims primarily to help children and support families coping with HIV /AIDS.
At a news conference, the 84-year-old Mandela praised the late Princess Diana for her work in combating the stigma surrounding AIDS.
"When she stroked the limbs of someone with leprosy or sat on the bed of a man with HIV/AIDS and held his hand, she transformed public attitudes," he said.
Of her 1997 death in a car crash he added: "I was devastated -- she would have definitely turned the tables (of opinion) around."
Fighting negative attitudes and ignorance was one of the main tasks facing the drive against AIDS, he said.
South Africa has one of the world's worst AIDS crises, with some 10 percent of the population, or 4.7 million people infected.
The impact on children is especially devastating. More than 660,000 are believed to have been orphaned by the disease while another 250,000 actually have the virus and face death.
Mandela, who spoke with Queen Elizabeth and her son Prince Charles at an event in London on Thursday, met Diana during a stay in Cape Town in 1997.
The pair are reported to have got along "incredibly well" and resolved to work together against AIDS. "She created a tremendous impression on me and that is how I remember her," he said.
The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund has been in existence since 1995 through a personal, 30 percent salary contribution from Mandela while he was South African president.
In 2001 the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund launched a 5.0 million pound ($7.82 million) initiative focusing on sub Saharan Africa.
"A joint program of work will build on the strengths and synergies of the two organizations," Mandela said.
On Friday, Mandela made a pilgrimage to the grave of Diana at her family estate Althorp, in Northamptonshire, central England.
021102
RE021101
Copyright © 2002 - Reuters, Ltd. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Contact Reuters.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .