God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

02/11/2010 • 11:15 pm Comments Off on 11.02.2010 What a mixed day…

11.02.2010 What a mixed day…

Sometimes one is sitting till late in the office until the mind is not able to take on more. And one feels so full and mixed up with the day that sleep will not come easy. In the morning an excellent meeting with the nuncio for South Africa and Sr. Margaret from Nazareth House. Topic was the POZ initiative caring for priests and clergy being HIV positive. And while I tried to prepare for the Sunday sermons for coming weekend and the joint councils meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry tomorrow, again and again requests and problems popped up and filled every little gap between tasks I had to complete today. I would call it a crazy day.

It was also a day of realisation how different people take a situation, how different they experience realities, how difficult it can be to communicate and to make oneself understandable. how exhausting it is not to flip out confronted with the attitudes of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I am not sure how often I used the word “Ohm” today, observing my breath according to good old Buddhist teaching. 🙂

But today is also the day, Nelson Mandela walked free, it is a day to remember and to celebrate somehow.Without him, the miracle of a peaceful transformation would not have been possible; and seeing the old wise man sitting in parliament this eve, I thought how important it is to have him still around as the conscience of South Africa today. Lets hope for a long life…

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

02/03/2010 • 5:22 am Comments Off on 03.02.2010 Friends are there for…

03.02.2010 Friends are there for…

…letting thoughts flow. A wonderful and more spontaneous luncheon with a friend where I was able to take a breath and to talk about personal things which really moved me in the moment. It feels like a blessing to be able to share when heart and mind creates a rollercoaster situation.  🙂

Otherwise I spend the morning with young journalists from Germany – organised by the “Sueddeutsche Zeitung”. We went to visit a primary health care facility in Mfuleni, one of our patients at home and then went to Tygerberg Academic Children’s Hospital and HOPE Cape Town to discuss current issues. The journalists already had meetings with important people like the German Ambassador Dieter Haller and Premier Helen Zille. Their task is it to gather background information about South Africa before the Soccer World cup 2010 starts. And it is difficult. As I heard there is either painted a rosy picture of South Africa in anticipation of the sports event – and it seems that nobody is allowed to say a critical word about some areas of concern – or people condemn and warn of security failure and the horrendous crime rates. It seems in the moment, there is only black and white at our disposal – and I think, this is simply wrong. South Africa has, like all other nations a variety of gray – yes, we have crime and the statistics are shocking, but yes, hundred thousands of tourists are visiting South Africa every year  and most of them are going home with a positive impression and lots of good experience. Yes, there are concerns, also security concerns – but yes, there are also lots of efforts to make 2010 a success for South Africa and Africa. Yes, the price structure of some airlines and hotels are indeed rather reminding us of gangsterism, on the other hand – there will be enough good deals closer to the time. We have to be honest brokers of the realities of South Africa. I concede, the realities are not that easy to read and interpret often – but only if we see and communicate all the potential for success, but also not forget the pitfalls – South Africa is like any other nation made out of humans and human structures… Nothing wrong about it.

The stadiums are ready – the people get more enthusiastic, upgrades of roads and transport systems are driving us South Africans crazy every day we commute to town, the soccer world cup 2010 will be a success – the African way and that is indeed good so…  Such events also help to highlight the shortcomings of a country – but which country has no shortcomings??

So I hope that the journalists went back to their hotel with the impression, that they got an honest assessment of the situation without politics or diplomacy tainting the picture. I think there is no need. Looking back to the last years there is surely more sun than shadow – and the way, South Africa will choose will anyhow only decided after the world cup circus will move on.

One is for sure: the soccer world cup 2010 prevented South Africa and its young democracy to  dip deeper into trouble during the developing times, when we have to learn how to organise us as such a democracy. The soccer world cup 2010 was and is the necessary nail to stop destructive development. My South African part tells me that nothing is decided yet when it comes to the future of South Africa, but one thing is for sure: the potential to create a home for all and a stable democracy is at hand, but in our times, all countries are interdependent as the global recession has again shown. So the future of South Africa also hangs in the balance with the other states and nations of this world. I will remain optimistic and realistic. A realistic optimist or an optimistic realist.. whatever is necessary in the next years to come…

Filed under: General, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Networking, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , ,

01/28/2010 • 10:31 pm 1

28.01.2010 Students from Chicago

After a days work and quite some meetings I am invited to give a talk for students of the University of Chicago, who are on a course in Cape Town. The students listen very attentive while I try to bring them closer the grim reality of HIV and AIDS in South Africa. Yes, we have made progress, yes, there are almost one million people on treatment – but also yes, there are problems with adherence and compliance, yes, it is a reality that still hundreds of South Africans die every day as a consequence of HIV and AIDS. And yes, there are logistical problems, and yes, they are instances, where treatment is not given – lack of money, resources, man power – you name it.

And yes, we haven’t reached the peak of the problem yet – the Soccer World Cup 2010 and all its tales cover nicely up for all the things not running well in our country. It is not the time to debate them now – now is the time for fun and joy and soccer. The world should see, what we have achieved so far – and yes, we have achieved a lot, but the reality starts again on the 12.07,2010 when the FIFA circus is moving on to the next country and South Africa is left alone…

Let’s see

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Politics and Society, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , ,

12/13/2009 • 12:07 pm Comments Off on 13.12.2009 25 years of Tafelsig Parish

13.12.2009 25 years of Tafelsig Parish

In half an hour I will got to attend the luncheon, given on the occasion of 25 years of the Catholic parish Tafelsig in Cape Town. A friend of mine is parish priest for this community and it is with pleasure that I will go and mingle with the people there. 25 years is not a long time – and one has to realise, that being a “Catholic” in South Africa is until today rather something suspicious. Invitation, where I am invited with wife show the grade of knowledge about Catholicism and from the “good old times” it was known, that Catholics are subversive: during the apartheid times it was mainly the Catholic church siding with the black communities; a lot of priests were driven out of the country. Only after the end of apartheid the Catholic church really starts to be much more visible. I remember the year 1998 where my application for permanent residence was put on hold. I had to appear in front of a committee, at that time in the Western Cape rather a “white affair, and the only question I had to answer was about my relationship with the Vatican. Amazing experience- you could still sense the anxiety of the apartheid system about possible Vatican spies on the wrong side of the battle of minds and for the security of a “white country”.
I think one can compare this a bit with the situation in the occupied territories of the Westbank and the Gaza Strip, where the state Israel also does everything to make it difficult for Catholic priests and social workers to do their bit to ease the situation.

Also at Tygerberg Hospital during the opening of the HOPE Cape Town project and the Ithemba Ward once again it showed that Catholicism was not “normal” in Afrikaans circles. According to some from the hospital, it was the first time in 2001, that a Catholic priest was doing the official blessing – in this case together with a Rabbi and an Imam.
And HOPE Cape Town remains a brainchild of a Catholic priest and the Chairperson of the German-speaking Catholic Community at that time – even when the organisation is since then working together with all denominations, religions and society groups.

So in celebrating 25 years of the Catholic parish in Tafelsig all this comes to my mind – and I am pleased to say, that the vast majority of work in the fields of HIV and AIDS is done by the Catholic church or initiated by our church.  A lot is said about the Catholic Church in these days, and not always that positive; therefore it is good to remind ourselves of all the good things the church is doing, most times through the people working at grass root level. Let’s celebrate these people also in Tafelsig.

Filed under: HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , ,

12/11/2009 • 12:43 am Comments Off on 11.12.2009 Rotary AGM

11.12.2009 Rotary AGM

Rotary AGM – how do you turn around an over-aged Rotary Club and how do you get new and young members on board. This was one of the key questions during the AGM today and as with all organisations, also Rotary faces a meltdown on members and the age average is climbing in regions not wanted if you want to think of a good future for clubs. We also are searching again for a new president for the coming Rotary year. If I would not so much away, I maybe would have offered my services, but I find it unfair when one is so often gone during the year and cannot make it to the club meeting.

Rotary Club of Signal Hill is my first Rotary Club and somehow it feels home to me. I have been a member since I am in South Africa – and the club offered me at that time the first into South African society. I am grateful for this experience and I am sure we will turn the tide of age and become a more lively club again in the near future. It is one of my resolutions to assist in this next year a bit more than I have done this year.

The Rotary Club of Signal Hill also brought me to Tygerberg via the telemedicine project – so without this club, there would most probably be no HOPE Cape Town. Another reason to stay on and be faithful to the club. I admit: it is not always easy to turn up every Thursday even when one is in town . the way to the Royal Yacht Club is sometimes a lengthy one. But when I see what Rotarians are doing all good around the world, then this organisation is a great one to be associated with.

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

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