Zackie Achmat of the Treatment Action Campaign has abandoned a personal boycott of the drugs, fearing that he would die before the government shifts ground.

ECONOMIST: A health tragedy compounded by government farce

Achmat Dangor, who heads the Nelson Mandela Foundation, said the partnership would help spread the anti-apartheid fighter's message to young people worldwide through the football club, Sunderland's own charitable foundation and work in Africa.

BBC: Sunderland in Nelson Mandela Foundation deal