World Aids Day on my mind

Like most South Africans, I am wearing my red ribbon today. From business men to mothers, from university students to the girl behind the cashier at my local supermarket: World Aids Day seems to be on everyone's mind today. 

It is not too strange, as South Africa is one of the countries that has been hit the hardest by the HIV/Aids pandemic. In a nation with a population of around 47 million, 5.7 million are believed to be living with the disease. Each day, 800 people die and 1200 become infected. Every year, approximately 70 000 children are born with the virus.

According to a Harvard Study, the lack of Anti-retrovirals drugs (ARVs) in some parts of the country has led to the premature deaths of 330 000 people and 35 000 babies being born HIV-positive between 2000-2005.

Last but certainly not least - the mortality rate among young people - particularly those between the ages of 20 and 34 - is currently higher then among elderly.

This means that many children have to grow up without their parents, and are either raised by their grandparents or are forced to survive alone. In various parts of the countries, there are villages that are inhabited by children only.

But South Africa is not alone country with a problem on its hands, as Aids is a global problem that affects everyone, whether you live in New York or New Delhi, Accra or Amsterdam, Harare or Houston. That is why everyone should wear a red ribbon today and have one minute of silence to pay a tribute to all who are affected by AIDS - from the those who died or got infected, from the children that were orphaned to the grandmother who takes care of her grand children, from the woman who discovered she was 'positive' as a result of the unfaithfulness of her partner to the baby inside she is carrying ...