|
 Fana Khaba, aka DJ Khabzela, disclosed his HIV positive status publicly on the popular youth radio station, Yfm in May 2003. Khabzela the host of the most popular show on the station chose however not to take antiretrovirals once his HIV had progressed to full blown AIDS. Instead he opted for various other unproven remedies (supported by the South African Minister of Health) that would hold no benefits for his ailing health. In this episode the Siyayinqoba Beat It! discussed why people opt for unproven remedies and asked what can be done to ensure that fraudulent claims and false cures are exposed and restricted.
|
|
 On this tape covering the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto Mark Heywood tells a tale of two countries: China and South Africa and looks at what the cost of a lack of leadership around HIV/AIDS meant in South Africa and what a lack of political leadership can mean in China in the next few years.The tape also covers the protests at the infamous South African government's stand which displayed beetroot, garlic and lemons more prominently than ARVs.
Nombazana Botha delivers a eulogy at Nozipho Bhengu's funeral, turning the funeral into a political slagging match in support of Mbeki's AIDS denialism. Comments about a remark made by Jacob Zuma that a shower can prevent you from becoming infect with the HI-virus cause Zuma supporters to leave the funeral and protest outside.
Ruth Bhengu talks about her daughter Nozipho's death due to AIDS related illnesses. She discusses why she disclosed her daughter's status to parliament and why Nozipho chose not to take ARVs and how the family opted for her to be treated by the discredited Tine van der Maas.
|
|
 Patient Abuse follows the events leading up to the formation of the Treatment Action Campaign and their struggles to access affordable quality treatment for all South Africans, by challenging the patent laws protecting the profits of multinational drug companies. Patient Abuse tells of how the Treatment Action Campaign grew from a handful of people on the steps of St Georges Cathedral to an organisation of thousands with support from activists around the globe. In April of 2001 the TAC was victorious when the PMA withdrew it's case.
Law and Freedom
Director: Zackie Achmat
Part 2: It’s a Nice Country! We meet courageous women and men who have used the Constitution to build democracy and a better life for all. First, we meet Irene Grootboom whose struggle for housing culminated in a landmark ruling of the Constitutional Court that is seen as crucial for the establishment of greater socio-economic rights. In the case of Ngxuza and others v the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, we meet the Meltafas, who even in the new democratic order, had to challenge abuse of power when their grants were unlawfully withdrawn. When labeled a troublemaker by officials, Mrs Meltafa responds, "You have been sleeping, I have woken you up!". It’s a Nice Country! also explores the case of the Treatment Action Campaign’s battle for the use of antiretrovirals to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In this personal reading of the "Nevirapine case," Achmat pays tribute to TAC members who, through their work of education and community mobilisation, used the Constitution to achieve access to life saving treatment.
Media, Method, Message follows the story of Beat It! the worlds first HIV/AIDS magazine programme. Narrated by the shows co-creator and director Jack Lewis, we see how Beat It! worked towards removing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and addressed the concerns of real people living with AIDS through documentary inserts and an in studio HIV+ support group.
The Treatment Action Campaign “in less than five years of existence moved a nation, shifted government policy and advanced the rights of people with HIV everywhere in the world… TAC’s struggle grows out of the best traditions of the anti-apartheid movement. TAC will be a shining light for citizen action for decades to come.” - Graca Machel, on presenting TAC with the Nelson Mandela, Health and Human Rights Award in 2002.
|
