EPISODE 19 - Events of 2009

This week Siyayinqoba Beat It! is looking back on 2009 to some of the key events and developments in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. 2009 was a hugely significant year - the election of Jacob Zuma in April initiated the most open acknowledgement yet from government of the scale of the epidemic and the firmest commitment to tackling it. In December, World AIDS Day events were held across the country, many attended by key policy makers, culminating in President Zuma's announcements on the expansion of treatment access.

In November South Africa's first HIV Positive People's Convention was held in Midrand, Gauteng. This event brought together people from across South Africa - politicians, activists and members of civil society - all who are living with HIV. As former Beat It! presenter Jason Wessenaar said, "as people living with HIV, positive prevention is our responsibility too."

It is here where Siyayinqoba Beat It! begins its review of the year, led by presenter Nokubonga Yawa who gave an emotional speech at the event in which she noted the work Siyayinqoba Beat It! has done in documenting the history of the epidemic in South Africa. She paid tribute to some of the key figures from the struggle, including activist Edward Mabunda who launched an appeal for treatment access from his hospital bed days before he passed.

The convention was organised by Pholokgolo Ramothwala who has been living openly with HIV for a number of years and keeps an on-line diary about his experiences. Pholokgolo organised the conference to bring together people who shared and understood the same "fears, anger, frustration and appreciation of every breath we take."

Justice Edwin Cameron paid tribute to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who was also present, by honouring his "openness, leadership, commitment and accountability." This understanding from government could enable a breakthrough in fighting the epidemic, he said, along with a break from the era of denialism which created an "epidemic of silence".

Positive Convention

On World AIDS Day itself we sent our CJs to events across the country to find out how people were marking the day. In Pietermaritzburg, KZN Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize visited people's homes and spoke about the need to increase treatment access and sustain supply through initiation teams which move from clinic to clinic to initiate treatment programmes. On testing and disclosure Dr Mkhize said, "you yourself must know for your sake." World AIDS Day is a reminder that much still needs to be done and in Salt River in the Western Cape people living with HIV spoke to children to educate them about the disease and prevention methods such as practicing safe sex.

World AIDS Day events

Finally we were in Tshwane to listen to President Zuma's landmark speech in which he unveiled expanded treatment access in South Africa. The speech targeted the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), which has been the theme of Siyayinqoba Beat It! 2009. This programme will ensure the health of pregnant women and the reduction of infant mortality whilst slowing the spread of the infection. President Zuma announced that from April 2010:

all children under one year of age will get treatment if they test positive;

all patients with both TB and HIV will get treatment with anti-retrovirals if their CD4 count is 350 or less;

all pregnant HIV positive women with a CD4 count of 350 or less, or with symptoms regardless of CD4 count, will have access to treatment;

all other HIV positive pregnant women will be put on treatment at 14 weeks to protect the baby;

the government will also be working to ensure that all South African health institutions are ready to receive and assist patients - not just a few accredited ARV centres.

The President said that the epidemic "is not merely a health challenge. It is a challenge with profound social, cultural and economic consequences." It requires a concerted and co-ordinated effort to tackle, which the government is beginning to outline to South Africans. Siyayinqoba Beat It! is pleased at the engagement from President Zuma, but will hold him to his words. In 2010 we will be following up on these events and announcements of 2009 to check that all those who need treatment are getting it.

Jacob Zuma's WAD Announcements