Apologise! That was the message to former president Thabo Mbeki from Cosatu on the eve of World Aids Day (December 1), as the labour federation urged him to say sorry in public "for presiding over hundreds of thousands of Aids-related deaths".

At a media briefing at which Cosatu also announced that it backed the ANC Youth League's call for mines - as well as other industries - to be nationalised, general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said Mbeki should apologise for the suffering of those who had died during the era of Aids denialism.

But he stopped short of supporting the Young Communist League's call for Mbeki to be charged with genocide for the estimated 330 000 deaths that might have been averted had antiretroviral treatment been made available sooner.

"We don't think we need to chase that hare, basically. It's a very unfortunate page... that belongs to the past. We don't think South Africa should allow a distraction of massive charges against... Mbeki when there are so many challenges facing us.

"Should we now go back and reopen the wounds? We don't think so. We should be moving on.

"He denies that he ever said HIV does not cause Aids. He denies there was a lack of action or confusing action on his part.

"The honourable thing would have been for him to deny it, particularly using the opportunity tomorrow (today). Perhaps he should have used the opportunity to just come out and say it was a mistake and it's a regrettable mistake, and apologise.

"He should apologise for the suffering of all those people who died in that period," said Vavi.

Cosatu president S'dumo Dlamini said Mbeki "must lead the campaign against HIV/Aids".

"He must set up the campaign himself and join the forces that are fighting against this scourge. That would be the most honourable thing to do while he is still alive."

Cosatu praised President Jacob Zuma and his government for taking a different stance on HIV/Aids.

The federation has urged all South Africans to observe a moment of silence today for deaths related to the disease.

"We are so relieved and so happy that finally we have a government prepared to lead the battle against this epidemic from the front. We've got a (health) minister (Aaron Motsoaledi) who is mobilising society," Vavi.

By IOL