Madiba’s 90th celebrations events programme

The celebrations for Madiba’s 90th birthday have already started. This is a year-long occasion with events ranging from exhibitions, dialogues, book launches, 46664 concerts and the sixth annual Nelson Mandela Lecture. Our focus is on ‘a celebration of ideas’ and while there will be shows and musical events, they too are aimed assisting our ongoing work in social justice work started by Madiba and the perpetuation of his ideals of freedom, non-racism and gender equality.

National HIV survey launched

There are an estimated 32-million HIV-positive people worldwide; 5.5-million of those people live in South Africa.

South Africa’s population has the highest proportion of HIV-positive people in the world, as well as the highest rate of new infections.

We can thank the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) for these shock statistics. Through national surveys conducted in 2002 and 2005, the HSRC has been able to get a comprehensive picture of HIV in South Africa.

On May 27, 2008, the HSRC launched the Third South African National HIV, Behaviour and Health Survey at its offices in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

Critical Issues in AIDS: Dare to know

Know your status.

The HSRC estimates that of the estimated 5.5 million HIV-positive people in South Africa, only 30% know they are HIV-positive. That figure drops to 10% globally.

If there is one message Professor Leickness Simbayi could get through to South Africans, it would be to “get yourself tested and find out what your HIV-status is.”

Official birthday programme full

The Nelson Mandela Foundation and its sister organisations appreciate that the whole world wants to demonstrate its love and support for Nelson Mandela in this his 90th year.

We have to announce, however, that our official programme of celebrations for our Founder’s 90th birthday is now full. We have been inundated with requests to endorse various events to mark Madiba’s 90th birthday but we cannot, unfortunately, entertain any more such proposals.

For all planned events, see this programme.

46664 play moves audience

“Live like a candle which burns itself, yet gives light to others. Look backwards with gratitude, upwards with confidence, forward with hope.”