S. Africa writer fights HIV stigma
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One of South Africa’s best-known playwrights, Gibson Kente, confirmed Friday he is HIV-positive -- becoming one of only a few celebrities to go public about AIDS in the country worst hit by the disease.
Kente, 69, who pioneered theater in South Africa’s black townships during the years of apartheid rule, said he was coming forward to fight the stigma associated with AIDS. “I have HIV -- why not make some use of it?” Kente said.
While activist groups estimate that 200,000 South Africans will die from the disease this year, few public figures have come forward to say they are infected.
From Reuters
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