God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

07/12/2010 • 5:22 pm 1

12.07.2010: One day after the Worldcup

Minister tackles xenophobic attacks
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa flew into the Western Cape on Monday for an assessment after a wave of xenophobic violence, a spokesman said. Earlier, police and troops were deployed in force as scores of foreigners sought refuge at police stations in Cape Town and surrounding towns.  A government spokesman said Mthethwa and Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu travelled to the Western Cape “to get first hand reports from senior law enforcement officers”. Sisulu said in a statement the army would do all it could to help the police and vowed that anybody who targeted foreigners would be “dealt with”.  “Opportunistic criminals must know that we will deal with them harshly, there is no way we will allow them to spread fear and crime. We are working very hard to find them and prosecute them.” Police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk said there were “sporadic incidents of looting” at shops belonging to foreigners on Sunday night. Areas where this occurred included Nyanga, Philippi East and Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats, Wellington, Paarl East, Mbekweni (a Paarl township), Franschhoek and Klapmuts. “Police responded and a heavy police contingency was deployed in conjunction with metro police and SANDF in all these areas,” Van Wyk said. Seven men, aged between 19 and 30, had been arrested in the Nyanga area. They were charged with public violence and were to appear in the Phillipi Magistrate’s Court on Monday.  “SAPS will continue to deploy in high numbers to maintain law and order in the mentioned areas. Tranquillity has been restored and no further reports of violence have been reported,” Van Wyk said.  Spokeswoman for provincial disaster management Daniella Ebenezer earlier said 70 foreigners had sought refuge overnight at the Mbekweni police station in Paarl and 22 at Wellington.  There were smaller numbers at police stations in Franschhoek, and Langa and Harare on the Cape Flats.
They had gone there “mainly because they were fearful”, but in some instances following attacks on shops. Ebenezer said there were “sporadic” attacks on shops on Saturday in the region, and “some incidents of looting” on Sunday.  No-one had been seriously injured.
She said according to reports from police, spaza shops and containers used as shops were “damaged” in Mbekweni, Paarl East, Wellington and Nyanga on Sunday. Ebenezer said the province’s community development workers had been providing information to authorities on what was happening on the ground. Mediators deployed to communities last week would continue their efforts.
“Provincial and local government are on standby to provide humanitarian support, should this be required,” she said.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20100712155804315C761243

Foreigners seek refuge at police stations

A heavy police and military presence has been deployed in Western Cape townships following sporadic xenophobic violence, police said on Monday. Provincial authorities said scores of foreigners had sought refuge at police stations in the region.
Police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk said that on Sunday night there were “sporadic incidents of looting” at shops belonging to foreigners. Areas where this occurred included Nyanga, Philippi East and Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats, Wellington, Paarl East, Mbekweni (a Paarl township), Franschhoek and Klapmuts. “Police responded and a heavy police contingency was deployed in conjunction with Metro Police and SANDF [the defence force] in all these areas,” Van Wyk said.

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20100712125356596C317143

Filed under: Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , ,

06/19/2010 • 2:44 pm 3

POZ Magazine: AIDS Draws “Red Card” at World Cup

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has launched its “red card” campaign with the support of international soccer stars “to ensure an HIV-free generation by the 2014 FIFA World Cup” in Brazil, according to a UNAIDS statement. The goal is to eliminate the transmission of HIV from mother to child. The campaign title refers to the red card a soccer referee gives a player to eject him or her from a game.

The UNAIDS statement:

New global initiative at the FIFA World Cup shines spotlight on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

JOHANNESBURG, 12 June 2010—A new campaign is using the power and outreach of football to unite the world around a common cause—preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child. Launched today in South Africa by the UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, international musician Akon, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and producer of the World Cup opening ceremony, Lebo M, UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador, Jimmie Earl Perry, and Kirsten Nematandani, President of the South African Football Association. The campaign aims to ensure an HIV-free generation by the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Each year, an estimated 430 000 babies are born with HIV globally, the large majority in Africa. Over the course of a 90-minute football match, nearly 80 babies will become newly infected with HIV. In many parts of Africa, AIDS-related illness is the leading cause of death among infants and young children.

Through the campaign—backed by international football stars and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassadors Michael Ballack of Germany and Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo—captains of 32 World Cup qualifying teams have been invited to sign the appeal: “From Soweto to Rio de Janeiro, give AIDS the red card and prevent babies from becoming infected with HIV.” Nineteen captains have already signed on, including host country South Africa and defending champion Italy.

“By the next football World Cup we can virtually eliminate HIV transmission to babies,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé who attended the campaign launch in South Africa. “Let us give AIDS the red card permanently.”

The lives of mothers and their babies can be saved through a combination of HIV testing and counselling, access to effective antiretroviral prophylaxis and treatment, safer delivery practices, family planning, and counselling and support for optimal infant feeding practices.

An estimated 33.4 million people are living with HIV worldwide. Since 2001, there has been a 17% reduction in new HIV infections globally. However, for every two people who access antiretroviral treatment, five more become newly infected with HIV.

Contact:

UNAIDS New York | Richard Leonard | +1 646 666 8003 | LeonardR@unaids.org
UNAIDS South Africa | Sheba Okwenje | +127 11 517 1634 | okwenjeb@unaids.org

Source: http://www.poz.com/rssredir/articles/unaids_red_card_1_18571.shtml

http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/PressCentre/PressReleases/2010/20100601redcard.asp

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Society and living environment, , ,

06/10/2010 • 10:20 am Comments Off on POZ Magazine: AIDS Groups Allege Condom Distribution Blocked at World Cup

POZ Magazine: AIDS Groups Allege Condom Distribution Blocked at World Cup

A coalition of HIV/AIDS groups in South Africa alleges that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), or the International Federation of Association Football, is blocking the distribution of condoms at World Cup soccer events, The Guardian reports.
The coalition—which includes the AIDS Consortium, the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society and the Treatment Action Campaign—said FIFA’s tight restrictions on venues mean that only official sponsors are allowed in, which will effectively block the distribution of condoms and safer-sex information.
In a statement, the coalition noted: “FIFA has not permitted civil society organizations to distribute HIV or health related information…or provided confirmation that condoms may be distributed at stadia and within the fan-fests. This is despite the fact that commercial sponsors selling alcohol will have dedicated spaces available.”
According to the article, the AIDS groups said they have asked to meet with FIFA and local organizers to discuss their concerns. FIFA said it is unaware of any requests, but there is a meeting underway to address the issues. The World Cup starts June 11 in South Africa.
About one in five adults in South Africa has HIV, and statistics show 1,400 new HIV cases and 1,000 AIDS-related deaths every year.

Source: http://www.poz.com/rssredir/articles/WorldCup_condom_FIFA_1_18531.shtml

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, ,

06/07/2010 • 11:27 pm Comments Off on 07.06.2010 Website and more

07.06.2010 Website and more

At 9 am my first radio interview for the day with a broadcaster from Berlin about South Africa before the Soccer World Cup 2010.  Then meeting at HOPE Cape Town offices to discuss the layout for the new HOPE Cape Town website. We are living in a time where the internet presentation is of importance. The discussion goes around details in layout and how it will be maintained afterwards. It is a very intensive debate. From Tygerberg back to town for a meeting before heading back to be ready for the next interview – same topic plus additional information about HIV/AIDS and South Africa. In between emails and getting an overview over the weeks agenda.

In the evening then a house mass @ Resi’s place – a tradition of many years. 8 people around the table, a service and afterwards a meal and a lively discussion ranging from soccer to the state of affair of our church. It is one of the occasions where I feel what it means to be a priest, connecting to people in a way, which is becoming so rare with all the management duties, a priest of  our days has to perform.

When I come home I realise, that now the talk show is aired where I was participating last Monday – well, let’s see what the reactions are in the next days to come… AIDS prevention and the invention of “the pill” – topics where one as a priest has a difficult stand in our days…

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , ,

04/12/2010 • 5:54 pm Comments Off on 12.04.2010 New strategic plan..

12.04.2010 New strategic plan..

South Africa has a new strategic plan to combat HIV and AIDS and this month, a massive roll out in advertising for VCT, voluntary counseling and testing will start. It is amazing to see what the Soccer World cup 2010 can accomplish. What still has to be seen is how this massive drive is financed and how we continue with it after the world cup. Too often I have seen big plans and little action – so I will wait and see what comes out. Let’s cross our thumbs that South Africa does the right choice and follows through.. it would have an amazing effect on the death numbers due to HIV and AIDS.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Politics and Society, , , , ,

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