Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association (Johannesburg) - May 29, 2002
Speaking at the Huhudi High School near Vryburg in North West Province on Wednesday, he urged a gathering of 250 traditional leaders to support and care for those infected and affected by Aids.
He said they could use their strategic positions in society to make a big difference.
"It is a criminal offence to discriminate against people living with Aids... I call on (you) to do door-to-door work to encourage people to come out," he said.
Mandela praised the North West House of Traditional Leaders and the provincial government for their efforts to promote partnerships against Aids, and said communities should rally behind such programmes.
He also urged young traditional leaders to further their education and empower themselves, "to be able to engage with government on matters of governance on an equal footing."
Mandela highlighted the fact that he was currently facilitating scholarships for the children of several traditional leaders in order to address this problem.
He also used the meeting to talk about the government's white paper process on the institution of traditional leaders, and indicated that the paper would focus on matters of governance and the reform of traditional leadership.
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