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HIV/AIDS poster draws attention to activists

    JOHANNESBURG

    South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) on Wednesday said it had been granted permission by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to use a poster of the former president wearing an "HIV-positive T-shirt".

    However, the foundation told the South African Press Agency (SAPA) that it never anticipated the use of the poster in the TAC's protest march on parliament this week.

    "The use of the photograph is intended to reflect Mandela's often stated support for HIV/AIDS treatment. The foundation's reaction is a display of weakness under political pressure," TAC national treatment and literacy coordinator, Sipho Mthathi, told the UN news service PlusNews.

    The foundation said it would not like to be seen opposing the government on the issue.

    "Friday's march is not against the government, but rather a call on government to implement a care and treatment plan for people living with HIV/AIDS," Mthathi said.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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