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HIV-positive radio presenter lauded

    JOHANNESBURG

    South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) on Tuesday said public disclosure by local celebrities living with HIV/AIDS could help eradicate stigma.

    TAC's comment follows a radio announcement by Yfm presenter Fana "Khabzela" Khaba early last week that he was HIV-positive.

    "In a country where HIV and AIDS carry such a stigma, Khaba's stance is bold and brave," TAC national manager, Nathan Geffen, told the UN news service PlusNews.

    Geffen said many locals still believed that only homosexuals, sex workers and black, poor or promiscuous people were affected by the pandemic.

    "Khaba's disclosure, and also that of playwright Gibson Kente [earlier this year], will hopefully destroy the myth that HIV/AIDS is selective," Geffen added.

    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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