Issued by: Office of the Presidency
6 June 2001
Find herewith message sent by the Deputy President to the family of Nkosi Johnson. Deputy President will be unable to attend memorial service due to commitments at the World Economic Forum in Durban.
Lakela Kaunda
082 782 2575
Ms Gail Johnson
JOHANNESBURG
5 June 2001
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT ON THE PASSING ON OF XOLANI NKOSI JOHNSON
It is with great sadness that I write this note, to express my condolences on the passing on of the brave little soldier, Xolani Nkosi Johnson.
The fact that he died on International Children's Day was a painful reminder to us all that our children need our love, nurturing, support and protection.
Granted, Xolani was no an ordinary child. He possessed courage and determination far beyond his age. Most significantly, he made the nation recognise the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS problem in a solid and serious way. He successfully gave a face to HIV/AIDS as it affects the most vulnerable in our society - our children. The sad death of this young fighter opens up a challenge to all of us to examine the contribution we can make to reduce the impact of AIDS in our lives and those around us.
As Government, the tragedy of babies being infected with HIV at birth cannot fail to move us. That is why we are continuing with establishing research sites to respond to the problem of mother to child transmission of HIV. In addition to this, Government has also developed guidelines to assist pregnant women attending clinics and hospitals to prevent mother to child transmission of the HI virus.
To the foster and biological families of Nkosi, we are with you during this difficult period. Your loss is our loss. We thank you for sharing your son with us and allowing us to learn from him. To South Africans, let the death of Nkosi not be in vain. Let us all pool our resources to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Working together, we can neutralise this cruel disease.
Hamba kahle Xolani, qhawe elincane. Siyohlala sikukhumbula njalo.
JACOB G ZUMA
DEPUTY PRESIDENT: REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
CHAIRPERSON: SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL AIDS COUNCIL (SANAC)
Issued by The Presidency: Republic of South Africa
Inquiries: Lakela Kaunda, 082 782 2575