Zackie Achmat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zackie Achmat
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Achmat at an Open Society Foundation of South Africa event on police accountability in 2013
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| Born | 21 March 1962 Vrededorp, Johannesburg, South Africa
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| Nationality | South African |
| Alma mater | University of the Western Cape |
| Occupation | Activist, film director |
| Employer | Ndifuna Ukwazi (Dare to Know) |
| Known for | HIV/AIDS activism |
| Political party | Independent |
| Board member of | Ndifuna Ukwazi (Dare to Know) Equal Education |
| Spouse(s) | Dalli Weyers (m. 2008; div. 2011) |
| Parent(s) | Suleiman Achmat and Mymoena Adams |
| Relatives | Taghmeda "Midi" Achmat (sister) |
Abdurrazack "Zackie" Achmat (born 21 March 1962) is a South African activist and film director. He is famous for helping people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa. He co-founded the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), a group that fights for healthcare rights. Today, he works with Ndifuna Ukwazi (Dare to Know), an organisation that helps build social justice groups. He also leads Equal Education.
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Early Life and Education
Achmat was born in Vrededorp, Johannesburg. He grew up in Salt River during a time called apartheid. His family was Muslim and Cape Malay. His mother and aunt, who raised him, were both leaders in a clothing workers' union.
Even though he didn't finish high school, he earned a degree in English literature from the University of the Western Cape in 1992. He also studied filmmaking at the Cape Town Film School.
Fighting for Change: Political Activism
Zackie Achmat started his activism when he was young. He supported the 1976 student protests. Because of his political actions, he was held in prison several times. In 1980, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) while he was in prison.
After 1990, when the ANC was allowed to operate freely, Achmat described his political ideas as democratic socialist. Even though he was part of the ANC, he strongly disagreed with former President Thabo Mbeki's views on HIV/AIDS. In 2004, he left the ANC because of Mbeki's leadership. He also spoke out against other leaders and corruption.
In 2024, Achmat ran for parliament as an independent candidate. He did not win a seat but plans to continue his political work in future local elections.
Standing Up for Equal Rights
In 1994, Achmat helped start the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality. As its director, he worked to make sure that the new South African Constitution protected the rights of all people, ensuring fair treatment for everyone. He also helped with court cases that led to equal status for partners in immigration.
Fighting for Health: HIV/AIDS Activism
Before starting the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) in 1998, Achmat worked at the AIDS Law Project. This group helps people with legal issues related to HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Law Project and TAC often work together to fight for the right to health.
Zackie Achmat's Personal Stand
In 1998, Achmat publicly shared that he was HIV-positive. He announced that he would not take medicine for HIV until everyone who needed it could get it. This was a powerful way to show how serious the problem was. In 2003, after TAC activists asked him to, he started taking the medicine. Soon after, the government announced that it would make the medicine available to the public.
Protesting for Medicine in Prisons
In 2006, Achmat and 43 other TAC activists were arrested. They were protesting outside government offices in Cape Town. They wanted to make sure that prisoners with HIV received their medicine. This protest happened after an HIV-positive prisoner died at Westville Prison in Durban. The activists wanted government ministers to be held responsible. The court later ordered the government to provide the medicine to prisoners right away.
Working for Social Justice
In 2008, Achmat helped create the Social Justice Coalition (SJC). This group works to promote the rights listed in South Africa's Constitution. They especially help poor and unemployed people. In 2009, he also co-founded Ndifuna Ukwazi (Dare to Know), which focuses on law and social justice.
In 2013, Achmat and other SJC activists protested outside the Cape Town Civic Centre. They were raising awareness about poor sanitation services in the township of Khayelitsha.
Personal Life
Achmat was diagnosed with HIV in 1990. In 2005, he had a heart attack, but he recovered and continued his activism.
On January 5, 2008, Achmat married Dalli Weyers, who is also an activist. Their wedding was in Cape Town. They later decided to go their separate ways in 2011.
Media and Films
- Achmat's story is in the 2007 book 28: Stories of AIDS in Africa by Stephanie Nolen.
- He is shown as a "Saint" in the 2009 video opera Fig Trees.
- His important role in getting HIV medicine to people in Africa is shown in the 2013 documentary film Fire in the Blood.
Films Directed by Zackie Achmat
- Apostles of Civilised Vice (2000) – a documentary about homosexuality in South Africa.
- Law and Freedom (2005) – a two-part documentary about important court cases in South Africa.
Films Where Zackie Achmat Appears as Himself
- Jonathan Dimbleby: The AIDS Crisis in Africa (2002)
- Kommt Europa in die Hölle? (English: Is Europe Going to Hell?) (2004)
- Darling! The Pieter-Dirk Uys Story (2007)
- Road to Ingwavuma (2008)
- Fig Trees (2009)
- Fire in the Blood (2013)
Awards and Recognition
- 2001 – Desmond Tutu Leadership Award
- 2001 – People in Need's Homo Homini Award for human rights work
- 2003 – National Press Club (South Africa) Newsmaker of the Year
- 2003 – Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights
- 2003 – Nelson Mandela Health and Human Rights Award
- 2003 – Chosen as an Ashoka Fellow
- 2003 – Named one of Time's 2003 European Heroes
- 2004 – Voted 61st in SABC3's list of 100 Great South Africans
- 2004 – Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Quaker group American Friends Service Committee
- 2009 – Awarded Open Society Fellowship
- 2011 – City of Cape Town Civic Honours
