South African AIDS activist Ngubane dies at 24

Friday, June 12, 2009 at 5:29 AM Posted by Beijing News


CAPE TOWN, South Africa – South African AIDS activist Thembi Ngubane, whose radio diaries of her struggle against the virus won her audiences and admiration around the world, has died of tuberculosis at 24.

Ngubane carried a tape recorder with her for a year. U.S. National Public Radio aired the diaries in 2006. She went on to meet former President Bill Clinton and also spoke at the opening of the international AIDS conference in Mexico City last year.

Joe Richman, who produced the diaries, said Ngubane had drug-resistant tuberculosis that was diagnosed too late to save her life.

A memorial service was being held Friday in Khayelitsha, the poor suburb where she lived with her 4-year-old daughter and partner.







Dugong 'Wuru' eats from a special lettuce birthday cake during the Sydney Aquarium's 21st birthday celebration. AFP/Greg Wood

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