Nelson R. Mandela (1918-2013)
The following is a
statement from National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) Director of Legislative
and Public Affairs Kali Lindsey:
Washington, DC, Dec. 10, 2013 – “Today, the world honored the life
and legacy of Nelson Mandela. Known to many simply as Madiba, or father, Mandela
embodied not just the struggle of South Africans to free themselves from the
shackles of apartheid, but the incredible fortitude of the human spirit.
Despite his years of suffering at the hands of those who denied the dignity and
self governance of Black South Africans, Mandela rose to lead the country out
of turmoil and inspired the world in the process. His dedication to social
justice and peace was unparalleled and will continue to inspire us as we work
to realize his vision.
“As a global advocate for people living with HIV and AIDS,
as well as an indefatigable opponent to poverty and injustice, NMAC has long
admired Mandela and his work. His struggle and devotion to the underserved and
marginalized mirrored our mission to empower people of color and combat the
social inequities and health disparities that continue to drive the HIV/AIDS
epidemic around the globe. His light inspired millions to believe that change
is possible. And while the world, as well as NMAC mourns his passing, his
legacy will continue to illuminate our path toward greater social justice and
an end to this epidemic.”
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The National Minority AIDS
Council (NMAC) represents a coalition of faith based and community based
organizations as well as AIDS service organizations advocating and delivering
HIV/AIDS services in communities of color nationwide. Since 1987, NMAC has
developed leadership in communities of color through a variety of advocacy
campaigns, public policy education programs, national conferences, research
programs, capacity building, technical assistance and trainings, and digital
and electronic resource materials. For more information visit www.nmac.org.
Comment by email:
Richard Stengel was Nelson Mandela's friend and collaborator — he co-wrote his autobiography with him, Long Walk to Freedom, and he wrote his own book after the experience, Mandela's Way: Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage. According to Stengel, Mandela felt he had not caught on and understood the implications of HIV and AIDS for South Africa and Africa. Mandela regretted not having been more active on that front, particularly when his successor, Thabo Mbeki, seemed to take the country even further into the dark ages on that issue. See http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=249570001
Comment by email:
Richard Stengel was Nelson Mandela's friend and collaborator — he co-wrote his autobiography with him, Long Walk to Freedom, and he wrote his own book after the experience, Mandela's Way: Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage. According to Stengel, Mandela felt he had not caught on and understood the implications of HIV and AIDS for South Africa and Africa. Mandela regretted not having been more active on that front, particularly when his successor, Thabo Mbeki, seemed to take the country even further into the dark ages on that issue. See http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=249570001
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