Nelson Mandela had two sons with his first wife, Evelyn Mase. His eldest son, Thembi, died in a car accident 1969. His other son, Makgatho, passed away from AIDS in 2005. He was an attorney and had four children.
After Makgatho’s death, Madiba made a public announcement that his son was suffering from HIV/Aids which led to positive change as more light was shed on the deadly virus.
Madiba said: "Let us give publicity to HIV/AIDS and not hide it, because the only way to make it appear like a normal illness like tuberculosis, like cancer, is always to come out and say somebody has died because of HIV/AIDS, and people will stop regarding it as something extraordinary."
He then started numerous HIV/Aids campaigns such as the 46664 foundation, which focused on “supporting projects in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa where the needs of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are currently greatest.”
Pictured is Mandela and his third wife Graca Machel at the funeral of Makgatho, which was held at Qunu in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
“It was during those long & lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my people became a hunger for the freedom of all people.” ~ Nelson Mandela
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