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Facing Up to HIV/AIDS - The UKZN AIDS Debates
By
Professor Eleanor Preston-Whyte
 UKZN has launched a series of debates on HIV/AIDS to be held during the
weeks leading up to World AIDS Day on 1 December. Entitled “On the Cusp: HIV
and AIDS – Chaos or Survival”, the series is being run jointly by the Centre
for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN) and the School of Development Studies.
The series kicked off on 23 October with a preparatory panel discussion on
the implications of the HIV/AIDS statistics. This was chaired by the
Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, himself a
noted HIV/AIDS researcher. He expressed his concern that, despite the wealth of
scientific knowledge about the epidemic, there still appears to have been
relatively little change in high risk behaviour. “What do South Africa’s HIV/AIDS statistics really mean? How do they affect the social, economic and
health sectors?” he asked.
Dr Leickness Simbayi and Mr Chris Desmond, both from the Human Sciences
Research Council (HSRC), focused their presentations on the implications of
HIV/AIDS statistics for adults and children respectively. Dr Simbayi
called for a collective effort by political, religious and civil society
leaders to find solutions to the social repercussions of HIV/AIDS, emphasising
that we often forget that the statistics indicate that it is not only the
youth who are at risk – older people and even the elderly are at risk. He
stressed anew that poverty and unemployment exacerbate the likelihood of
becoming infected with HIV. Mr Desmond pointed out that 11 million children
live in households with a daily income of only R6 or less and that many live
in informal settlements which are areas disproportionately affected by
HIV/AIDS. “How can we claim to be ‘proudly South African’ when we have 11
million poor children living in poverty?” he asked.
Dr Arthi Ramkissoon of the Reproductive Health Research Unit in Durban
summarised the devastating implications HIV/AIDS is having on an already
overburdened Health Sector, while Professor Alan Whiteside, the director of
the HEARD at UKZN, focused
attention on the economic implications of the epidemic on South Africa and
for ALL South Africans. He emphasised that the University community needs to
take up the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS, but that this will require an
interdisciplinary approach, and the development of creative new lenses and
discourses capable of engaging with the epidemic in a manner that can and
will make “a difference”. After comments from the floor, Hein Marais, in
summing up the discussion, drew attention to the stigma surrounding HIV and
AIDS, and to the fact that it is the marginalized and dispossessed who bear
its brunt.
The initial panel discussion was followed by the first of three high level
scholarly debates. The topic of the first was “Culture: AIDS Chaos or
Survival?”. The line up of speakers was Ms Mandisa Mbali (Oxford
University/UKZN), Prof Paulus Zulu (UKZN), Prof Pitika Ntuli (UKZN), and Ms
Nomboniso Gasa (Independent Gender Policy and Political Analyst). The
following were some of the issues addressed: Is culture often used to mask
an unwillingness to change high risk behaviour? Might it offer a potent way
to package and promote treatment strategies and options in South Africa? Are
traditional healers in the forefront of the battle to save lives? Should we
combine western and traditional medical traditions and training in the
battle against HIV/AIDS and if so, how might this be done?
The debates are being broadcast live over the internet and can also be
downloaded. Contributions can be made to a chatroom.
On the 17 November the topic chosen for discussion was “HIV/AIDS: A tougher
stance needed for survival: Testing and Treatment”. The major questions tackled at this debate were: Should testing be mandatory instead of voluntary as at
present? If so, what of personal choice and Human Rights, both of which are
valued very highly in South Africa and enshrined in the constitution? We
also posed the difficult question of whether people who are not adhering to
their treatment regime, should be denied access to further ARVs. The line up included: Prof Slim Karim (UKZN), Prof David McQuoid Mason (UKZN), Mr
Chris Mokolatsie (UKZN), and Prof Debbie Posel (WITS).
On the 1st December - World AIDS Day - the concluding debate poses the
critical question “Towards Survival? Developing policy to meet the
challenges of the epidemic”. The speakers will include: Prof Quarraisha
Karim (UKZN), Prof Alan Whiteside (UKZN), Mr Hein Marais (Independent), Prof
Helen Rees (RHRU), Mr David Harrison (LoveLife), and Dr Koleka Mlisana
(UKZN).
The approximately two-hour sessions, each of which will be chaired by SAfm
Morning Live presenter John Perlman, begin at 7.00 pm. The second debate on
Testing and Treatment will take place in the Howard College Theatre on the
17th November. The last one on Policy on World AIDS Day (1st December) in
the Susser-Stein Seminar Room at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in
Umbilo Road.
Those who would like to attend debates should contact the AIDS Debates
co-ordinator, Shannon Moffett, via email
in order to reserve a place at
these exciting events.
For those unable to attend the series, a DVD of each debate is available at
a cost of R70.
Please join us! Full and updated information on the Debates programme can be obtained here
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