I lived for many years in South Africa during the change-over period from Apartheid to Bpartheid. It is rumoured that the reason for Thabo Mbeki's attitude to HIV, which he has declared a 'benevolent disease' and not having any connection with AIDS, is that he himself has contracted HIV. The association between the two diseases is not one that he wants to admit, and it is this denial that is colouring his attitude towards the disease and affecting the health of millions of his African subjects.

So, a rumour? Not the basis on which any sort of discussion can be started.

Have there ever been any revolutionary leaders who were not just as bad and most times worse than the tyrants they deposed? They always promise power to the people but when its all over its always about power to them. Nice guys who believe in the cause are just being used by the more ruthless cutthroats who sieze power.

what about chavez (venezuala) and castro (cuba)? they have absolutely nothing on the tyrants deposed by the people through popular vote/uprising ...

sharkfin,

Umm hows about Mandela?

Not only did he try and get things going again for the black population of South Africa, but he actually followed the law and stood down when his term was up. You can't really ask any more from a revolutionary leader can you.

Unfortunately Mbeki is not fit to tie Mandela's shoelaces. I sometimes think that Mandela was 99.9% of the intellect, of the morality, and of the ethics of the ANC. Where once there was a far-sighted statesman, there is now only a shell. Mbeki is a man of small intellect and limited morality - rather than seek to end the tyranny in Zimbabwe he is more likely to slavishly follow its lead.