Former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela has said that his son died of AIDS. In a news conference held at his home in Johannesburg, Mr Mandela said his only surviving son Makgatho Mandela died earlier Thursday. He was 54.

Mandela is a man who has suffered a great deal as a victim of apartheid, held behind bars for 27 years. In 1969, he lost another son through a car accident. His long term marriage with Winnie Mandela came to a bitter separation.

Mandela has been an active figure in the fight against AIDS, during and after as president of South Africa. He has called for more publicity and attention to be given to HIV/AIDS, following the death of his son from an AIDS related illness.