Mandela has a message for us all, said Merkel. "We need peace in the world, and in particular the conflicts in Africa must be resolved peacefully." His own example is proof enough that non-violence is the better path in the final analysis, she continued.
Intervening for a peaceful world
The 89-year-old Nobel peace prize winner emphasised during their meeting that conflicts – say with Syria, Sudan and in Somalia – can only be resolved using peaceful means.
Mandela has a clear standpoint on AIDS. This is a problem for the whole of humanity, and can only be resolved if all nations work together. The problem must not be played down. The Nelson Mandela Foundation finances many AIDS projects and assistance programmes for children. It has been built up with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), German Technical Cooperation.
Aid projects in South Africa
After her meeting with Mandela, the Chancellor continued her trip to Cape Town, where she visited an environmental project and an AIDS project. She also met representatives of civil society, including the Mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille. The great niece of the Berlin artist and writer, Heinrich Zille, is the Chairperson of the liberal opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance.
On Sunday the Chancellor will be leaving South Africa for Liberia.
