Coming closer ? and leading from the ground

Efforts to foster a caring and inclusive nation as a public response to South Africa?s social crises were furthered during the past few months, and the source of hope for the future is seen as existing within every ordinary person.? Two high-level speakers shared their thoughts on these matters at open gatherings in Durban:

In February, in her memorial lecture for the late Archbishop Denis E. Hurley, Deputy-President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka honoured the leadership displayed by uncelebrated, unrewarded home-based caregivers in communities ravaged by HIV/AIDS and poverty.? Talking about women and how they contribute to a more humane society, she reminded us: ?Although they are far from the forefront of the media and the economy, these caregivers are dedicated leaders, and government is taking note of how they inspire our youth by their example.? We should all look up to these women who have so little yet tend to all the unglamorous tasks.? I admire and respect them, because they are the ones showing us how to create a caring nation with a caring government.?

The Deputy-President described the feminine skills displayed by community volunteers as being essential to mainstream caring institutions.? ?We could change the world?s perspective of effective leadership if we ensured that ours is inspired and guided, not by toughness and domination, but by nurturing and respect for the common humanity that binds us together as people.? Although 45% of our elected government ministers, all holding important portfolios, are women, the vision is not to exclude or diminish men.? Rather, we all need to learn from women how to exercise power with and not over people.?

She sees South Africa as committed to an urgent plan of growth based on sharing, so that the financial wealth of the country is measured in balance with poverty relief.? This plan includes new projects for small and medium business creation, and for youth training in practical skills and citizenship through a national service programme.? There is also a focus on the roll-out of early childhood development, and human resources will be drawn into this work through the Department of Public Works and from the expertise of retired specialists in these fields.?

?With so many teenage pregnancies in our communities,? the Deputy-President warned, ?the child support grant system is not sustainable.? Our greatest challenge is, therefore, to empower young men and women with skills so that they can be productive independent citizens, with the social grant serving as a temporary life-line.? We need teachers, welders, plumbers, nurses, builders, engineers, tour-guides, caterers ? South Africans who, with their talents and knowledge, can move the country forward.?

Building for growth in this way means that government has to work as partners with civil society, and with business.? ?Large employers like Eskom must take on young people as apprentices to strengthen our domestic skills base,? she said.? Religious leaders are formally recognised by government as social partners, and faith-based communities are central to creating a culture of service and caring among people.? ?Government cannot achieve this alone, so we take our social partners very seriously,? she explained.? ?Faith communities are deeply involved in developing HIV/AIDS care and early learning for children, which should be used as best practice models on a national scale.? I particularly like the churches? support for women caregivers taking healing time for themselves.?

On youth empowerment, she was highly in favour of a youth programme based on the idea of ?big brothers? and ?big sisters? ? older teenagers being guided and supported in caring for children, to restore healthy family bonds, and to raise new generations of model citizens equipped with education, skills, self-esteem and a sense of responsibility.?

In closing, the Deputy-President invited personal feedback from people on the ground: ?Because it is you who contribute to and share in the future, I invite everyone to send me a ?Dear Deputy-President?? letter, with ideas for action and social change.?? She named her mother and aunts as her main role-models, as well as an academic in African History who had lectured her at University: ?They have all taught me that even if one fails, one should rise again and strive.??

Another prominent leader who lives and works for the cause of human dignity and belonging, is Justice Edwin Cameron of? the Supreme Court of Appeal (Bloemfontein), who spoke at a University of KwaZulu-Natal Forum in May during a ?Get tested, get treated? campaign.? He holds the 2000 Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights, and is openly living with HIV, while tirelessly urging for solidarity around the pandemic.??

Justice Cameron is no stranger to the personal struggle with stigma surrounding HIV, which cuts across all levels of education, race, age, class and privilege.? He sees that as HIV-positive people continue to be cast out and pushed away by others, the fearful isolation attached to a diagnosis of HIV infection fills patients with disabling shame, and the virus spreads uncontrollably.? Even those with access to help, protection, treatment and love feel so contaminated that they do not seek testing and treatment, despite knowing that they could make these life-saving choices.?

The most difficult part of stigma, says Justice Cameron, does not lie in others, but in ourselves.? He feels that we should do much more to build bridges for people to cross, so that they can move out of their inner fear and loneliness towards medical diagnosis, care and treatment.?

He also believes that HIV should be seen simply as what it is: a virus, which affects the body with severe illness, as do many other dangerous viruses. ?Why should this disease be so special that it is not socially acceptable to have it?? The fuss around HIV testing in healthcare settings creates more risk and harm than good, because it makes people feel unacceptable.? If the patient can be assured of treatment, non-discrimination and confidentiality, HIV testing should be a normal part of the medical investigation of symptoms ? unless the patient clearly refuses to be tested.??

Justice Cameron adds that even though pre-HIV-test counselling is useful and important, if this service drains the resources, time and energy of healthcare workers - which could be better spent on diagnosis, post-test counselling and treatment ? it could be costing lives, and should be dropped.? He suggests that an indaba with Medical and Dental Council officials and human rights activists should be held to discuss such alternatives.

What can you and I do every day to promote understanding that having HIV and AIDS is not a crime, but a medical condition?? Let?s spend some time and effort looking within ourselves on this issue, and then work as ?leaders on the ground? ? talking openly about HIV/AIDS, and calling for clear, affordable and supportive health policies.? In this way, awareness will increase, fear of testing could decrease, and prevention could become a normal way of life.

COME CLOSER!?

Contact Judith King: Editor ? SONDELA

HIVAN (Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking), Public Affairs Annex,

232 King George V Avenue, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041

Tel: (031) 260 2975

Fax: (031 260 2013

e-mail: [email protected]

<