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American Morning

12-Year-Old AIDS Activist Nkosi Johnson Dies

Aired June 01, 2001 - 09:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A young crusader in the fight against AIDS has lost his battle against the disease. Nkosi Johnson was infected with HIV at birth. The South African boy later became a world-known AIDS activist. He died this morning. He was 12 years old and he left a lasting legacy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NKOSI JOHNSON, AIDS ACTIVIST: I would like to tell the story of my life. When I grow up, I would like to teach the whole world. If my mom and dad would let me, to teach that you can accept AIDS, respect AIDS and not to discriminate. We are all normal. We are human beings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's taught me a lot of things about AIDS. He's taught me not to give up with your life. Fight for your life.

JOHNSON: I don't hide my sick. I don't hide my disease. Many people hide their disease. But you can't hide your disease, because if you hide it forever, one day -- one day that person's going to find out.

GAIL JOHNSON, NKOSI'S ADOPTIVE MOTHER: His legacy is that he has taught the world -- and, more importantly, South Africans -- that people with AIDS are very normal people -- that we need to care for them and accept them.

NELSON MANDELA, FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT: He was exemplary in showing how one should handle a disaster of this nature. He was very bold about it, and he attached many hearts.

JOHNSON: He would like to be remembered as someone who motivated an acceptance of infected people. And I know he has given a huge amount of people inspiration. And he inspired a lot. And that -- and that I know he would be very, very proud of.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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