09 January 2001
The General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Comrade Blade Nzimande, will pay a visit to Nkosi Johnson, the brave boy who has lived, fought and struggled openly with HIV for 11 years details of the visit as below.
The SACP wishes Nkosi and all his family strength and courage in this traumatic hour of his life. The bravery and vision of the young Nkosi inspire the SACP. It is a challenge to all of us to follow in Nkosi's footsteps and step up the struggle against HIV /AIDS.
Once more Nkosi's life, struggle and contribution remind all of us that the majority of the 4 million people living with HIV/AIDS in our country have little or no access to information about prevention, good public health services, and affordable treatment . Far too many children are dying from HIV/AIDS related illnesses whilst there are drugs which prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS the drugs are too expensive. As many AIDS activists have said No child should be burdened with this kind of suff ering which is avoidable.In this regard, the SACP reiterates its call to all South Africans, including government, to take urgent steps to ensure that we reduce the number of children born with HIV in this country.
The SACP calls on all South Africans, including government, to lead a mass campaign to ensure that the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PMA) drops its court action against legislation which would ensure access to affordable HIV/AIDS drugs. In this regard, the SACP welcomes the fact that the PMA court challenge has now been set down for a hearing at the Pretoria High Court for one week, commencing 01 March 2001. The SACP therefore calls on all South Africans to use their mass and other power to pres surise the PMA to drop its court action and to take steps to ensure that we have access to affordable drugs.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity South African Communist Party
Tel - 011 339-3621/2
Fax - 011 339-4244
Cell - 083 651 0271
Email - sacp1@wn.apc.org