Actress Charlize Theron, South African President Jacob Zuma Discuss AIDS Response
“Actress Charlize Theron has pledged her support in the campaign against AIDS during a meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma,” the Associated Press reports, noting, “Theron, an ambassador for the United Nations program on AIDS, met Zuma in Pretoria on Monday to discuss the fight against AIDS in South Africa and across the continent” (7/29). “Following the meeting on Monday, Zuma said Theron’s U.N. humanitarian role continued to give South Africa’s fight against HIV a big boost,” South African Government News Agency/TheSouthAfrican.com writes. “Flanked by Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi and [UNAIDS Executive Director] Michel Sidibé, Zuma said South Africa needed to play a leading role in the fight against HIV on the continent,” the news agency adds (7/29). “In 2008, the United Nations named Theron, 37, as a Messenger of Peace, tasked with promoting efforts to end violence against women and other issues,” USA Today notes (Oldenburg, 7/29).