NELSON Mandella’s nephew was in London’s East End tonight talking about his experiences in the years of struggle against Apartheid in South Africa and his current fight against Aids. The doors of the historic Spitalfields Church were specially opened for the public talk by Bishop Joseph Kobo

Picture: Carmen Valino

NELSON Mandella’s nephew was in London’s East End tonight (Wenesday) talking about his experiences in the years of struggle against Apartheid in South Africa and his current fight against Aids.

The doors of the historic Spitalfields Church were specially opened for the public talk by Bishop Joseph Kobo.

He spoke of his life with the ANC—and being on Death Row’ for three years on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela himself.

Joseph Kobo finally became a Bishop working in his native South Africa after the years of struggle and his final release from prison, he explained.

FIGHTING AIDS

He works today among the world’s poorest communities in East Cape running an endless campaign to stamp out Aids sweeping the villages and townships.

His visit to Spitalfields was organised by the Thare Machi education charity which uses DVD technology to help the communities at grassroots level.

He was presented with the first copy of new DVD on HIV produced by the charity in the local language of the villagers.

Bishop Kobo is using media material in his rural community programme in the Eastern Cape.

The organisation is planning to use Joseph’s links to extend the programme across South Africa and into Swaziland, which has one of the highest HIV infection levels in the world.

One-in-three people in Swaziland are infected with the virus, the audience was told.