Madiba seizes moment

JOHANNESBURG – The world must not grow complacent about AIDS because the number of new HIV infections still outpaces the number of those being treated for the disease, former South African President Nelson Mandela has said.

Since stepping down as president in 1999, Mandela, whose son died from the disease, has championed the cause of people with AIDS. On Saturday, he drew a crowd of about 15 000 to his fifth international awareness concert, held this year to coincide with World AIDS Day.Recent UN figures estimate that the number of AIDS cases fell from almost 40 million last year to 33,2 million in 2007.”This lower figure suggests that prevention programmes have been successful in bringing down infection rates,” Mandela said at a benefit concert on Saturday.”That trend is encouraging but it is still alarming that for every person receiving treatment, four others are newly infected.”If we are to stop the AIDS epidemic from expanding we need to break the cycle of new HIV infections.All of us working together with government, communities and civil society can make the difference that is needed.Together we have the power to change the course of destiny,” he said to rapturous applause.On Saturday, he drew a crowd of about 15 000 to his fifth international awareness concert, held this year to coincide with World AIDS Day.Recent UN figures estimate that the number of AIDS cases fell from almost 40 million last year to 33,2 million in 2007.”This lower figure suggests that prevention programmes have been successful in bringing down infection rates,” Mandela said at a benefit concert on Saturday.”That trend is encouraging but it is still alarming that for every person receiving treatment, four others are newly infected.”If we are to stop the AIDS epidemic from expanding we need to break the cycle of new HIV infections.All of us working together with government, communities and civil society can make the difference that is needed.Together we have the power to change the course of destiny,” he said to rapturous applause.