Despite having reached his 85th birthday, Nelson Mandela shows no sign of stepping back from political activism. The former South African leader took centre stage once again on Thursday when he called on normal people to demand their leaders do more to fight Aids.
The Nobel Peace prize winner made his appeal at the launch of a new CD and DVD, which have been released in an effort to raise funds to combat the disease. The recordings were produced in conjunction with last year's 46664 concert on Robben Island, where the statesman was once held as a political prisoner.
Musicians like Bono, Beyonce and Annie Lennox took part in the concert, which was named after Nelson's prisoner number during his time as an inmate. The discs go on world-wide release on Monday, but advanced sales have already beaten all expectations.
Nelson was keen to remind those at the function that, despite their success, there was still much work to be done. "To win this fight, we all must do more," he said. "Do more to tell people about protection. Do more to fund those making such a difference on the front line to fight HIV. Do more to demand leaders give people the medicine, the care, the treatment they need when they have Aids."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
