Protest at Aids activist’s burial
‘We are tired of waiting, inaction, lack of facilities’
While Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed mourners yesterday at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, activists protested against government’s inaction to fight HIV and inappropriate healthcare facilities.
The protest started shortly after Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi took to the podium to pay tribute to Aids activist Prudence Mabele at her funeral service.
Mabele, who spoke openly about her HIV status, died in hospital on July 10, 11 days before her 46th birthday.
“In celebrating Prudence’s life and work, we need to rededicate ourselves to the fight against the HIV epidemic and its twin, the TB pandemic ...” Motsoaledi said, adding the department was introducing the National Health Insurance (NHI) to address health funding.
Motsoaledi said Mabele’s efforts were recognised worldwide.
“I want to warn HIV activists gathered here today that the battle is not yet over. It is still far from over... We are not going to win this battle against these major diseases if we don’t change the way the health care system is financed.
“It is for this reason that we released and introduced the NHI... It is a revolution. No revolution is won by one man,” Motsoaledi said, but activists shouted back, saying they were tired of waiting.
“We want action,” they said. Ramaphosa, who is also the chairman of the South African National Aids Council, said: “Prudence was among those Aids activists who were essentially fighting a struggle to be human, to be remembered into the human race, as worthy normal individuals with a manageable condition.
“Prudence gave voice to thousands whose stories and experiences, fears and dreams often went unheard.
“She brought comfort to those she knew were pained by physical discomfort, social stigma and the violation of their fundamental human rights.”
He said the country needed more young people like Mabele who would courageously “challenge complacency, incompetence, arrogance and corruption”.
Mabele’s two friends Miranda Goma and Bev Ditsie spoke fondly about her.
Messages of support from United Nations Women head Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, David Allen from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, were read out by programme directors Victor Ramathesele and Rosie Motene. Commissioner Sheila Mbele-Khama spoke on behalf of abogogo, saying Mabele, who also practised as a sangoma, embraced her spiritual calling.
Mbele-Khama and Goma performed rituals. Radio personality Redi Tlhabi, Deputy Minister of Social Development Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu, Lucky Mazibuko and Criselda Dudumashe also attended the funeral.
Mabele was buried at Westpark Cemetery.
‘ ‘ I want to warn Aids activists that the battle is far from over