Goals, excitement and 30.000 Aids victims in South Africa | Tore, Jubel und 30.000 Aids-Tote in Südafrika

When media representatives descend on South Africa in june of 2010, the country will be presenting itself in the best possible light. Pictures of modern sports facilities, a well developed urban infrastructure and residents who are habitually happy and thrilled to be hosting the football tournament will be broadcast around the world, giving the impression that South Africa has overcome the scourge of poverty and social injustice. But hidden from the view of the cheering fans is the other side of South Africa. Millions of the country’s inhabitants are confronted daily with violence, adversity and one of the highest rates of AIDS in the world.

AIDS is not only one of South Africa’s most difficult issues, it is also the leading cause of death. The disease has affected practically every family in the country; the social, demographic and economic consequences are catastrophic and ultimately incalculable. The speed with which the epidemic has spread is especially troubling. According to official estimates for the year 2007, some 18.1% of South Africa’s population is infected with the HIV virus, making it the fourth-worst-affected country in the world. The official number of infected persons is 5.7 million, a number topped only by India.

The number of people who die of AIDS each year is also shocking. In 2007, 350.000 South Africans succumbed to the disease. During the month of the World Cup tournament, about 30.000 South Africans will die of AIDS; in this statistic, too, South Africa leads the world.

(Source: UNAIDS - 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic)

Wenn im Juni 2010 die Berichterstattung zur Fußballwelt- meisterschaft startet wird sich Südafrika von seiner besten Seite zeigen. Bilder von modernen Sportstätten, gut entwickelter innerstädtischer Infrastruktur und stets gut gelaunten und dem WM-Zauber verfallenen Gastgebern werden um Welt gehen und den Eindruck erwecken, dass Südafrika scheinbar der Geißel aus Armut und sozialer Ungerechtigkeit entflohen ist. Doch fernab von jubelnden Fans versteckt sich das andere Gesicht Südafrikas. Gewalt, Elend und eine der höchsten Aids-Raten der Welt prägen das Leben von Millionen Menschen dort.

Die Krankheit Aids ist nicht nur eines der größten Probleme Südafrikas sondern bereits zur Todesursache Nummer Eins geworden. Praktisch jede Familie ist von der Immunschwäche betroffen; die sozialen, demografischen und wirtschaftlichen Folgen sind katastrophal und langfristig unabsehbar. Besonders schockierend ist die rasante Geschwindigkeit mit der sich die Pandemie ausbreitet. Im Jahr 2007 waren offiziellen Schätzungen zufolge etwa 18,1% der südafrikanischen Bevölkerung mit dem HI-Virus infiziert. Damit liegt die Quote im weltweiten Vergleich auf Platz 4. Die offizielle Anzahl der Infizierten ist mit etwa 5,7 Millionen weltweit am zweithöchsten, direkt nach Indien.

Erschreckend sind auch die jährlichen Todesfälle bedingt durch Aids. Im Kalenderjahr 2007 starben in Südafrika 350.000 Menschen an den Folgen der Immunkrankheit. Allein während der einmonatigen Fußball WM  werden ca. 30.000 Südafrikaner an AIDS sterben; damit belegt das Land an der Südspitze Afrikas den traurigen ersten Podestplatz im weltweiten Ranking.

(Quelle: UNAIDS - 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic)

(Pretoria/Cologne) The global HIV awareness and charity campaign GOALS for SOUTH AFRICA asked Dr. Nono Simelela, CEO from South Africa National Aids Council (SANAC) about government measures to alleviate the Aids situation in the next years and about special measures to reduce the risk of HIV infection for tourists visiting during the World Cup activities.

The South African National AIDS Council (Sanac) is a national body established to oversee and advise government on HIV and AIDS in South Africa. Sanac was formed to strengthen the strong political leadership as well as to ensure inclusion of civil society in the overall response to HIV and AIDS. The Council is composed of both government and civil society organisations.

GfSA: What government measures are planned to alleviate the AIDS situation in the coming years.

Dr. Simelela: The government has a comprehensive programme which covers prevention interventions such mass communication, social mobilization and information. We also have a programme to detect and manage sexually transmitted infections and the provision of large numbers of male and female condoms free of charge in the public sector. We will embark on a massive HIV counselling and testing campaign to encourage South Africans to know their HIV status and seek care. We have also large programmes for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. The President recently announced new measures to expand access to ART in the public sector.

GfSA: Are you interested in receiving additional assistance from independent, impartial organizations such as GOALS for SOUTH AFRICA from Germany?

Dr. Simelela: The needs obviously exceed the resources available in the state budget, so yes we would welcome such support. However, those who fund us need to understand that there is a country plan, one Monitoring and Co-ordinating framework and must also adhere to the Paris Declaration.

GfSA: Is your government taking any special measures to reduce the risk of HIV infection for tourists visiting during the World Cup activities? If so, what activities are planned? 

Dr. Simelela: Tourists should have basic information about sexually transmitted infections. We will ensure information wherever it is possible and that public facilities are provided with free condoms to distribute.