South Africa's famous child Aids activist Nkosi Johnson, who was born with HIV and died aged 12, will posthumously receive the first KidsRights Foundation's international Children Peace Prize in Rome.

"The Children Peace Prize statuette, which is passed on to the new child laureate every year, will be called 'the Nkosi'," read a press release from the organisers. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev would launch the prize.

"Many other Nobel peace laureates and laureate non-governmental organisations will be present to mark the event which takes place during the Nobel for Peace Summit, the Seventh annual World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners."

The award will go to Nkosi Johnson for his efforts in support of the rights of children with HIV and Aids. In July 2000, Nkosi captured the hearts of millions of television viewers, when his self-written address at the 13th International Aids Conference in Durban was televised worldwide. The little boy died in 2001. Nkosi's foster mother Gail Johnson, and his four-year-old foster brother, will represent him.

Nkosi's Haven, the project for children and their mothers with HIV-Aids will be awarded the prize money of $100 000 (about R700 000).

(Source: Sapa, 24 Nov 2005)