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ARASA Newsletter
I S S U E 2 A P R I L 2 0 0 9
Editors Note
In the second issue of this and another that appeared as an op- the Democratic Republic of Congo.
newsletter we are pleased to share ed in the South African financial The article tells the story of a woman
with you some of the highlights of paper, Business Day. These articles whose husband lost his job as a
ARASA’s work in the first quarter of are shared in this newsletter . They result of contracting HIV and ex-
2009. are a part of the media outreach for plores HIV/AIDS in the workplace.
the Mines and TB Campaign to bring We hope that more of our partners
In this newsletter we focus on
th awareness to and call for action on will contribute to this newsletter to
ARASA’s presence at the 4 SA AIDS
the plight of miners who are profile their work and share lessons
Conference in Durban from 31
adversely affected by the high learned.
March to 3 April 2009, where the
incidence of TB in the mines. Also in this issue you can find out
ARASA team had a booth, made
presentations and launched the The new Training and Advocacy more about two internships available
2009 HIV/AIDS and Human Rights in Programme hosted by Women and for ARASA partners. Details of the
Southern Africa Report. We also Law Southern Africa started on a internships and how to apply for
share with you our impressions of high note in Swaziland. In this issue them are inside.
the conference. we will outline the objectives and key We make a brief introduction to
activities for 2009 as well as some of ARASA’s new partners and staff
Paula Akugizibwe’s Mines and TB
the highlights of the first training
presentation at the 4th SA AIDS Con- members and give them a warm
held earlier this year. welcome.
ference was a huge success and is
available on the ARASA website. We are very pleased to share an With best wishes
Paula has also written two articles - article contributed by an ARASA
one which appeared in The Times partner, Protection Enfants SIDA in The ARASA Team
ARASA at the 4th SA AIDS Conference:
“Scaling Up for Success”
Close to thirty years into the AIDS representatives, HIV
epidemic 1.5 million new infections programme implementers,
occurred in southern Africa in 2007, religious and community
accounting for almost one-third of leaders converged at the
all new HIV infections around the International Convention
world. In addition, nine countries in Centre in Durban, South
southern Africa accounted for 35 Africa, during the 4th SA
per cent of all HIV infections and 38 AIDS Conference from 31 Nyaradzo, Paula, Alan, Felicita, Luyanda and
per cent of AIDS deaths. March to 3 April, 2009. Michaela at the ARASA Booth
Recognising the urgency to take Under the theme ‘Scaling up for “Twenty years into an epidemic
stock of best practices in treatment success’ the conference delegates that has claimed the lives of more
and prevention and to scale these shared best practices in HIV than 20 million people worldwide,
up sufficiently to begin to roll back prevention, treatment and care it is not unreasonable to ask why
the onslaught of AIDS in southern and identified barriers to scaling we have not made a dent in the
Africa, close to 4000 activists, up successful responses to the HIV prevalence of HIV and AIDS,” ex-
HIV does not infect my human rights scientists, government epidemic in southern Africa. plained Conference Chairperson,
ISSUE 2
PAGE 2
Professor Linda-Gail Bekker. “More partners and has grown to a part- KEY FINDINGS OF THE
than ever before we need to come nership of more than 40 2009 HIV/AIDS AND
HUMAN RIGHTS IN
together as a region, declare war organisations who work together
SOUTHERN AFRICA
on the epidemic and begin to see to promote a human rights-
REPORT
the rates in southern Africa based response to HIV in
decline.” southern Africa. Presenting the findings of the
2009 HIV/AIDS and Human Rights
Recognising that an effective rights In 2006 ARASA published the first in Southern Africa Report, Liesl
-based HIV response in the region HIV/AIDS and Human Rights in Gerntholz, a consultant who
calls for an exchange of Southern Africa report, which worked on the report, explained
knowledge, lessons andapproaches evaluated the extent to which that in 2009, compared to the
with others working in the field of International Guidelines on HIV/ 2007 report, more countries have
human rights, HIV and tuberculosis AIDS and Human Rights were HIV/AIDS laws and policies while
(TB), ARASA was active and well implemented in Southern Africa. many have a dedicated HIV and
represented at the conference . AIDS public health law that
“The report we are launching protects the rights of people
In addition to ARASA’s convening today is an update of the 2006 living with HIV. The SADC
of a satellite session and managing Report, which marked the tenth Parliamentary Forum also
an exhibition booth, ARASA’s anniversary of the International adopted a model law on HIV/
Director Michaela Clayton, was a Guidelines,” Michaela explained. AIDS and there is increased
member of the Conference “This report explores key human access to prevention, treatment,
Programme Committee and co- rights developments in the care and support including
chaired the ‘Gender and Sexual region since the publication of prevention services for vertical
and Reproductive Health Rights’ the 2006 report, focusing on laws transmission.
session on Wednesday, 1 April. and policies that protect the
rights of people living with HIV to “However, ongoing from 2007, is
SATELLITE SESSION: equality and non-discrimination the recognition that developing a
“STATUS OF HIV/AIDS as well as laws and policies that human rights response is
AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN promote access to health care.” complicated by the large number
SADC IN 2009”
of competing human rights
In addition, the report identifies concerns in the region as well as
On 1 April 2009, ARASA hosted a
key human rights challenges continuing state repression,” Liesl
satellite session titled “Status of
facing people living with HIV and explained. “In the absence of a
HIV/AIDS and Human Rights in
highlights good legal, policy and completely protective
SADC in 2009” to provide an over-
human rights practices in relation environment, stigma and
view of and an opportunity to
to HIV and AIDS in southern discrimination against people
discuss current and emerging
Africa. “The report will be living with HIV and AIDS also
issues related to HIV, TB and
distributed widely to partners continues.”
human rights in southern Africa.
and stakeholders in the region
and beyond with the hope that it New issues identified in the 2009
The session, attended by close to
will be useful as an advocacy tool report include a concern that the
150 delegates, outlined ARASA’s
in the region” explained increase in new HIV and AIDS
current advocacy efforts including
Michaela. laws mean that there is now a
the ‘Mines and TB Campaign’,
initiatives on sexual and need for an increased focus on
Michaela acknowledged the advocating for and monitoring
reproductive health rights and
financial support of SIDA, Irish implementation of the laws and
human rights considerations for
Aid, OSISA, HIVOS and the Ford policies. In 2009, there is also
scaled up HIV testing.
Foundation and thanked the recognition of increased enforce-
consultants Ann Strode, Kitty ment mechanisms in the laws for
Michaela Clayton welcomed
Grant and Liesl Gerntholz as well non-compliance with the
delegates to the session explaining
as ARASA staff and partners for standards. However, some new
that ARASA is an alliance of non-
their contribution to the report. laws contain ‘claw-back’ clauses,
governmental organisations that
HIV does not infect my human rights started out in 2002 with only 5 which limit the rights outlined in
ARASA NEWSLETTER
PAGE 3
the law itself. advocacy efforts including a sharing of lessons learned, but
meeting on sexual and did not pay enough attention to
“Emerging human rights issues reproductive health rights held in the issue of human rights and its
include the rights of people with November 2007 with the aim of relation to the epidemic in
TB; the need to enhance access to establishing a regional campaign southern Africa. “We cannot
treatment for children and on sexual and reproductive health afford to become complacent
facilitate increased access to rights. He explained that a follow- about human rights,” he said. “Let
prevention of vertical up meeting to design the cam- us not allow communities and
transmission for women as well as paign was planned for the second individuals to be relegated as
a need for the development of quarter of 2009. junior partners.”
new preventive measures such as
HIV vaccines,” Liesl added. Luyanda also outlined ARASA’s Highlighting the emerging
efforts to raise awareness about human rights issues identified by
ARASA’S ADVOCACY potential human rights the report, Mark explained that
INITIATIVES implications of the rising number there are a few issues critical to
of community testing initiatives in the HIV response in southern
Paula Akugizibwe, ARASA’s
the region by citing a joint effort Africa right now. “These include
Treatment Literacy and Advocacy
between ARASA and Human financial sustainability for people
Co-ordinator introduced the ‘TB
Rights Watch in 2007/2008. Re- on treatment during this
and the Mines’ campaign,
search was conducted on the economic recession. We must
stressing that there is a plethora
human rights implications of Le- recognise that budget shortfalls
of evidence generated since the
sotho’s ‘Know Your Status’ Cam- can threaten the right to health,”
Milner Commission Report of
paign, which set out to test 1.3 he explained. “Funding for
1903, accentuating an urgent
million people in 2 years. human rights work is being
need to address the plight of
suffocated. In this region, no
miners, particularly those working
LAUNCH OF THE 2009 government is spending money
in the gold mining industry, and HIV/AIDS AND HUMAN to make sure people understand
their susceptibility to TB infection. RIGHTS IN SOUTHERN human rights and can demand it.”
AFRICA REPORT
“The South African Gold Mining
“We should also continue
Industry probably has the highest Officially launching the report
touting the development of good
incidence of TB in the world at Mark Heywood, Director of the
HIV-related laws, and should push
3000 to 7000 incidences per AIDS Law Project, deputy-
for their implementation to make
100 000 population size per year,” chairperson of the South African
an impact on the lives of people
she added. AIDS Council (SANAC) and chair
and facilitate their access to
of the UNAIDS Reference Group
justice,” he added.
Paula outlined ARASA’s efforts to on HIV and Human Rights com-
raise awareness and influence mended ARASA for its work and
ARASA BOOTH
change in this regard, mentioning profile in the region.
the May 2008 meeting on mines, ARASA materials were distributed
migrant labour and tuberculosis “Since its inception ARASA has at a stand in the exhibition hall of
in southern Africa. In addition she been raising the voice of HIV/ the conference centre where
urged delegates to join ARASA’s AIDS and human rights in delegates interacted with ARASA
efforts, which include statements, southern Africa and should be staff and received a Human
petitions and media outreach. commended and supported in its Rights and HIV Testing or Sexual
quest to continue working with and Reproductive Health Rights
On Thursday 2 April, Paula also partners in the region, particularly t-shirt.
presented on the cross-border with those partners in less
implications of TB in the South supportive environments.” Note: All presentations delivered
during the satellite session can be Posters displayed at the
African Mines during the
found on the ARASA website at ARASA Booth.
Migration session. He added that the SA AIDS
www.arasa.info
conference was a good platform
Luyanda Ngonyama informed for releasing this report as it
delegates of ARASA’s other provided a stage for dialogue and
ARASA NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 2 PAGE 4
Impressions of ARASA at the 4th SA AIDS Conference
The ARASA stand was inundated with visitors. T-shirts and posters on sexual and reproductive health rights and HIV
testing were collected by delegates. In addition information of ARASA’s work was made available and copies of the
ARASA human rights and HIV/AIDS training manual were distributed. Copies of the newly launched HIV/AIDS and
Human Rights in Southern Africa Report could also be collected at the ARASA stand.
Below is some feedback from ARASA staff members on ARASA’s presence at the 4th SA AIDS Conference in Durban.
Nyaradzo Chari:
“People were really interested in our work and they also wanted more materials and training. In particular, community health
workers and members of the Department of Health wanted to know how they could infuse ARASA’s work into their efforts with
communities. Many delegates from organisations who are not ARASA partners also asked about receiving training in HIV/AIDS
and human rights. The requests were predominantly from South African government officials and grass roots organisations as well
as several Zimbabwean NGOs for assistance and collaboration in incorporating human rights into their work as well as the usual
funding pleas.”
Felicita Hikuam:
“We were commended for our work and visibility during the conference.”
Alan Msosa:
“Some visitors to the booth asked how they can collaborate or partner with ARASA. Others expressed lack of adequate knowledge
and information on issues of human rights and HIV/ AIDS. Some of the plenary sessions observed that there is need to enhance
mainstreaming of human rights issues around the HIV/ AIDS response in the region. During the satellite session one person
stressed that we should ensure that we review the ARASA Human Rights Report and ensure that we publicise the recommenda-
tions and issues as much as possible. He also stressed that we should ensure that a lot is done to translate the report into action.
Someone asked if ARASA could play a role to ensure that civil society in the region contributes reports towards the UNGASS
processes.“
Delegates attended the ARASA satellite session titled “Status of HIV, TB and Human Rights in SADC in 2009” and
thronged to the ARASA stand for information and materials.
ARASA NEWSLETTER
PAGE 5
A Century of Deafness to Facts
about Lung Disease in Miners
The op-ed below appeared in the financial newspaper Business Day on April 17, 2009.
Written by Paula Akugizibwe, Treatment Literacy and Advocacy Co-ordinator for ARASA.
climbing steadily, ominously, decade the most historically neglected groups
after decade? of workers —whose lives and labour
built the backbone of this country’s
There are many commissions of inquiry economy — continues to be so
that we could reference. We could go flagrantly exploited.
back more than a century to what was
then regarded as the “wake-up call”, It matters to public health experts in
the Milner commission report of 1903, South Africa and from around the
which warned that , “the extent to world, who wrote to the minerals and
which Miners’ Phthisis (tuberculosis) energy and health ministers three
prevails at the present time is so great weeks ago, calling for urgent action to
that preventive measures are an urgent address TB in the mining sector.
Mines + TB in South Africa
necessity, and that such a large
number of sufferers is in our midst is a It matters to the organisations, which
matter of keen regret”. wrote to the same ministers three
weeks ago, calling for the immediate
Or perhaps something more recent, implementation of a review tool to
the Leon commission of 1996, which assess the performance of TB
Paula Akugizibwe
stressed that “the failure to control programmes in the mining sector — a
tuberculosis in the mining industry tool whose development was
While the world sprung into a frenzy of must be a matter for grave concern”, sponsored by the department of
action on World TB Day recently, Cape and went on to recommend that a minerals and energy in 2007 but which
Town’s International Convention renewed effort is urgently required. has since gathered dust on a shelf
Centre quietly hosted a sobering
somewhere.
reiteration of the quiet, tragic history of More than 100 years after Milner, and
this epidemic in miners. Tony Davies, 13 years after Leon, our minds turn How much — or how little — it now
professor emeritus in occupational back to that red line, still rising, matters to the mining sector and the
health at Wits University, opened his undaunted by any of the interventions government, only time will tell. But if it
talk on 20th century inquiries into that the sector has tossed its way. takes another 107 years, it will be
health and safety in South African
beyond our control by then, and
mines with a fragment from a poem by Alternatively, we could dabble in some history will judge very harshly on this
Edna St Vincent Millay: compensation philosophy. We could scandal.
write something around the lines of a
“Upon this gifted age, in its dark hour, conversation I observed at the It already does.
Rains from the sky a meteoric shower conference, pitting the relative weak-
Of facts … they lie nesses of the Compensation
unquestioned, uncombined.” Commissioner for Occupational
Diseases against those of the Medical
Perhaps, after decades of meteoric Bureau for Occupational Diseases.
showers of facts on occupational lung Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is most Paula commented that the
disease in mines, one must turn to defunct of them all? Department of Health has
poetry in order to move the South contacted her to say that the
African mining sector and government Does it matter? memo referred to in the op-ed
to fulfil their responsibilities in this
regard.
above is receiving their
It all matters, just not to the right
people. It matters to miners, former attention. ARASA will circulate a
But what shall be the theme? miners and their communities, who sign-on to ARASA partners and
bear the cost of this neglect. It matters other interested parties to in-
Should we go for visual imagery and to anyone who cares about social crease the pressure to get the TB
attempt to describe the graph of justice, who struggles to wrap their
autopsy data showing TB in black programme review done as soon
mind around how, 15 years into
South African miners, its red line freedom and transformation, one of as possible.” - ed.
ARASA NEWSLETTER
PAGE 6
The Dark Heart of Mining
The following article, written by Paula Akugizibwe, was published in The Times and was originally entitled “Who Pays the
Real Price of Gold?”
The most depressing thing about the compliance [by mining companies] to The real price of gold is not what you
findings of the Presidential Mine legislative requirements [on health see on TV at the end of the news. The
Health and Safety Audit produced by and safety]. Inquiry after inquiry real price of gold is hidden in various
the Department of Minerals and makes findings to the effect that risk rural corners of the country and other
Energy in 2008 is not the shocking assessments are not conducted, countries in the region from which
state of affairs that was revealed, but training is not done, early morning migrant labour streams to South
the sense of déjà vu that comes with examinations are not done, African mines; and the people who
this state of affairs. equipment not maintained and the paid the real price of gold are often
list goes on and on. “ left with little or nothing to show for
In 1995, Judge Ramon Leon’s
it – no compensation, no rehabilita-
Commission issued a damning report The list goes on and on, but at the
tion, no justice.
on the appalling state of health and end of the day, the question remains
safety in South African mines and the same – who pays the real price of “At all st ages,
stated that “radical” steps needed to gold? The answer is uncomfortable:
m inew orkers are
Mines + TB in South Africa
be taken urgently to address this. 13 for years and years, pre- and post-
years later, the presidential audit apartheid, mine-workers and their screw ed by t he
confirms not that progress has been families and communities have
syst em . .”
made, but that Leon’s findings still largely borne the social, economic
hold true. and public health burden of the dark Why, for a sector that is so
side of mining. significant, has so little effort been
There is no evidence of radical action
put into developing more effective
in that, but it makes you stop and The crystalline silica dust that coats
systems of regulation? “The system of
think. Mining contributes at least 6% their lungs until they wheeze for
administrative fines for non compli-
of South Africa’s GDP, but at what breath; the piece of equipment that
ance failed to serve as a deterrent”,
human cost? hasn’t been changed in over 30 years
admits the presidential audit, “the
and eventually collapses, taking
The presidential audit’s 2007 [mines health and safety]
mineworkers’ lives and their families’
estimates put annual fatalities at 221; inspectorate which is seriously
livelihoods with it; the TB bacteria
new cases of pulmonary TB at 4482;
that circulate
cases of noise-induced hearing loss
unchecked in the
at 1820 and compliance of mines to
shafts and squalid
health and safety regulations at 66%.
hostels, resulting in a
“The real price of gold rate of new TB
infections in South
is not w hat you see African gold mines
on TV at t he end of that, according to the
Department of
t he new s..” Health, “has been
increasing
It is a frightful situation – and on
exponentially with
paper, everyone is very concerned
HIV every year” and
indeed about health and safety in the
may be up to 10
mines. But in reality, few people with
times the national
decision-making power seem to be
infection rate. For TB,
concerned at all.
if nothing else, most
The presidential audit report could gold mines in South
not be more blunt: “As the audits Africa should be
confirm the findings made by Judge declared disaster
Leon in his Commission report, there areas.
is a pervasive culture of non
ARASA NEWSLETTER
PAGE 7
stretched for resources is functions (inspections and In 2009, the AIDS and Rights
inundated with piles of files audits). The vacancy report for Alliance for Southern Africa
from mines’ legal councils July 2008 shows…a vacancy rate (ARASA), in collaboration with
appealing the fines. of 29%.” several partners, is launching a
How Can You Assist? Processing a single fine can campaign to demand reform in
On compensation, the
take up to one year six the management of and com-
challenges are too many and
x Outreach and training months… Provision is made in pensation for occupational TB
complex to be summarized in a
of mineworkers the Act for referral of cases to in the mining sector. This fol-
few sentences, but the general
x Materials the Director of Public lows ARASA’s 2008 report on
sentiment was accurately
Prosecution where negligence The Mining Sector, Migrant
x Legal research and ad- captured by a senior health
has resulted in death or serious Labour and Tuberculosis in
vice officer at AngloGold Ashanti in
injury of someone. Every year Southern Africa.
the title of an article he wrote
x Media and awareness referrals are made but no
last year to highlight this issue TB, one of the biggest health
raising prosecution has ever taken
– “Miners’ Compensation: Who crises in Africa, is responsible
place.”
x Organising and/or cares?” A 2004 actuarial study for more deaths in South Africa
supporting advocacy The Mines Health and Safety showed that the existing than any other disease, but is
actions Act was recently revised to compensation fund was not even more disastrously out of
More ideas? Write to us: allow for stricter punitive, but nearly enough to cover current control in the gold mining
this is only the tip of the ice- claims for occupational disease, sector. As this sector thrives on
minesandtb@arasa.org.na
berg. At all stages, mineworkers and would require mining migrant labour, the disease
are screwed by the system. At companies to pay 100 times burden is then spread across
the mines, “the appointed their current contributions to the country and region when
health and safety representa- correct the situation. workers return home, and no
tives were inadequately and systems for accountability exist
Who cares? Nobody, it seems.
improperly trained… the exer- to address this.
But we all should. This is, quite
cising of their rights and pow-
simply, a matter of justice. We call on everyone to support
ers was not sufficiently under-
When it comes to health and the campaign on TB in the
stood…there was no procedure
safety, the mining sector has a mining sector; and as the
and no training on withdrawal
long, long history of bad, bad elections approach, to ask
or refusing to work in an
behaviour; and failure to leaders the tough questions
unsafe working place. Ad hoc
correct this has effectively that have no simple answers –
meetings were held without
endorsed injustice as the who pays the real price of gold?
involving the employees.”
foundation of the most power- And why? And who cares?
At the severely under- ful economic sector in the
resourced Mines Health and country. For more information about
Safety Inspectorate, whose job ARASA’s campaign on the
The much spoken-of gap
is to uphold health and safety Mining Sector and TB, or for
between the rich and poor is
legislation, “Administrative copies of our report, please
not a phenomenon – it is the email minesandtb@arasa.org.na
processes resulted in inspectors
obvious consequence of delib- or call +27 21 422 5463.
spending less than 50% of their
erate negligence on critical
available time on their core
matters such as this.
Background: Mines + TB Campaign
x May 2008: Meeting on “The Mines, Migrant Labour and Tuberculosis in Southern Africa”
x Representatives from government departments (SA and Lesotho health and labour); mining industry; mining unions; NGOs;
human rights and public health academics and researchers.
x Goal: To map out policy and programmematic interventions for the cross-border control of tuberculosis between Lesotho
and South Africa, focusing on miners, ex-miners and their families.
x At least 25% of Lesotho DR TB cases in preceding 8 months (August 2007 – April 2008) were current or former SA
mineworkers.
x Full report available at: http://www.arasa.info/files/pub_ARASA_Mines_TB_and_Southern_Africa.pdf
ARASA NEWSLETTER
PAGE 8
Human Rights and HIV/AIDS Capacity Building and Awareness
Raising Programme in Swaziland by Margaret Zulu
society in addressing of critical violations in Swaziland. Thus the
human rights issues. ToT programme will enhance
programme ownership by the
PROGRAMME communities and further sustain
the human rights programme in
BACKGROUND
Swaziland.
The Swaziland Human Rights and Women’s day commemoration
HIV/AIDS Capacity Building and
Awareness Raising Programme has The International Women’s Day on
been successfully initiated in 8 March was commemorated by
Swaziland and is now four months awareness raising on and advocacy
old. Planning for the programme against Gender Based Violence
has had exclusive involvement of (GBV) through newspaper articles,
WLSA partners whose input has set radio talk shows as well as a
Margaret Zulu addresses the a foundation for programme discussion on national TV on the
The DRC was the first country in
workshop participants at the sustainability. This has seen need for community involvement in
which ARASA’s Human Rights and
ToT training in Swaziland. enormous support by the Swazi curbing GBV. This commemoration
HIV/AIDS Capacity Building and
government. The programme has a was done in collaboration with
Awareness Raising Training Pro-
primary focus on gender-based WLSA partners. The programme
gramme was rolled out in 2008.
violence, stigma and discrimination coordinator also helped facilitate a
Swaziland is the second country in
as well as access to HIV and TB national dialogue on gender issues,
which this programme is being
treatment. which saw the involvement of
implemented in 2009, hosted by
partners such as the UN and the
Women and Law in Southern Africa
Coordinating Assembly of Non-
– Swaziland (WLSA) - ed
PROGRAMME SUCCESSES Governmental Organisations.
Since its inception the programme
PROGRAMME GOAL Second Quarter Highlights
has seen a number of successes in
terms of output. These include the
To contribute to the reduction, In the second quarter the following
initiation of the training of trainers
management and elimination of activities are planned: IEC materials
(ToT) programme where
HIV/AIDS & TB in Swaziland development; an advanced training
participants from non governmental
through capacity building, of trainers workshop; Workers Day
organisations in the national HIV/
awareness raising and advocacy commemoration; Human rights
AIDS consortium and the media
for a human rights based response regional workshops for traditional
including people with disabilities,
to HIV/AIDS leaders and rural health motivators;
LGBTIs, and people living with HIV
awareness raising and advocacy
have been trained to be trainers for
through the media.
PROGRAMME human rights. Other outputs in-
OBJECTIVES clude awareness raising and Margaret Zulu is the Human
advocacy activities to Rights and HIV/AIDS Capacity
x Build capacity and raise commemorate international Building Programme Coordinator
awareness on HIV/AIDS and women’s day (IWD) in March. based at Women and Law South-
human rights issues for civil ern Africa—Swaziland
society in Swaziland by 2010;
TOT PROGRAMME
x Promote mainstreaming of
human rights issues in work- A national basic training of trainers
place HIV/AIDS policies & was held in March 2009 in
HIV/AIDS programming in collaboration with ARASA to train a
Swaziland by 2010; cadre of 30 human rights pro-
gramme champions who will train
x Sustain programme beyond members of their communities on
2010 through building strong human rights and HIV/AIDS and
alliances and training trainers further facilitate mainstreaming of
of human rights and HIV/ human rights in their respective
AIDS; and organisations. This cadre of cham-
x Reduce human rights viola- pions will also drive the advocacy
tions in Swaziland by 2010 agenda at community and national Workshop participants developing
levels while involving traditional advocacy plans.
through raising awareness on
and facilitating action by civil leaders to curb human rights
ARASA NEWSLETTER
HIV/AIDS in the Workplace
PAGE 9
by Leonnie Kandolo,
Many of his colleagues in married. The youngest two will
their company avoided finish their studies in a few
contact with him, his months. I just finished the con-
chiefs became more and struction of our house. I think that
more harsh with him as if my husband were still be alive,
rumors spread that he he would have been happy for me
was living with HIV. His and my children.
life was hell for two years
When I learnt that there are laws
and because of his long
in many countries that protect the
absences from his work
rights of people living with HIV/
place, his boss finally
My name is Caroline Ndessa, I am AIDS, I was happy and sad at the
fired him. My husband met with
44 years old and a mother of 4 same time. Sad because those
trade unionists to explain that he
children, the eldest is 23 years old laws came late, if they had come
was fired because of his disease,
and the youngest is 18 years old. some years earlier, my husband
but they did not want to stand for
I am a widow. My husband died of would not had been fired unjustly;
his cause. We had nowhere to
AIDS some years ago. and happy because now no
turn
I am living with HIV, but this is not person living with HIV/AIDS will
the subject of my story . After my husband was fired, we be a victim of abuse, discrimina-
were deprived of housing and a tion and stigmatisation from other
After I obtained my degree at the car. We went to live in our house people. Whoever behaves amiss
college of business in Kinshasa, in which was still under construction will be prosecuted in justice on
the Democratic Republic of in Lingwala. the basis of the laws protecting
Congo, I married Robert Tulanda people living with HIV/AIDS.
in 1980. During the time of our For 18 months we struggled
marriage, my husband was a against the sickness. Aware of Now I live, thanks to ARVs, and I
brilliant young elite and worked in Robert’s disease my sister, who have committed to fight against
a big company of the city. His lived in Italy, sent medicines to stigmatization, rejection and all
company provided him with a improve my husband’s condition kinds of discrimination toward
beautiful house and a smart car. of life. people living with HIV/AIDS and
people affected.
As Robert did not want me to Robert was always sad, not
work, I took care of the children at because of disease, but because The fight for the protection of the
home. With the money we saved, he was fired due to his HIV/AIDS rights of people living with HIV/
we bought a compound in status. He always wondered, “Why AIDS is the fight of all of us.
Lingwala and I oversaw the con- is a person fired for HIV/AIDS and
struction work of our house. not for heart disease or for
diabetes?” Up to the day he died,
As a good woman of Kinshasa, I he considered his termination
agreed with my elder sister, who is unjust.
in Italy, to do business together. Leonnie Kandolo is
Robert often laughed at me and Apart from the pain we felt during Director of Protection
my business, for he thought that I his disease time, we felt another Enfants SIDA in the
wasted my time in a useless during the funeral. Everybody
DRC.
venture. But the money obtained spoke of “AIDS” and looked at us
Protection Enfents SIDA
from my business was very useful - me and my children as cursed.
is an ARASA partner
afterwards and provided for our This was a very painful time.
and hosts the National
family. My family also accused my HIV and Human Rights
In 1995 my husband fell ill some husband of being the one who Training Programme in
weeks after he came from made me sick. the country. -ed.
Tanzania, where he went for a After the funeral, we had a very
service purpose. He experienced tough life but thanks to my
strong headaches. After getting business, we are still alive. I have
treatment he began working. even opened a shop in town. I
From that time onwards, his struggled to ensure a better
health was fragile and he grew future for my children, but my
very thin. He also got sick regu- eldest son will get a university
larly. degree next year and his sister has
ARASA NEWSLETTER
PAGE 10
ARASA’s New Partners at a Glance
ZANARELA+, ZAMBIA
ZANERELA+ is the Zambian Chapter of the African Network of Religious leaders living with or personally
affected HIV and AIDS (ANERELA+). The organisation endeavors to empower and support religious leaders
living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS to live a meaningful and productive life through capacity
building, advocacy, networking and scaling up of congregational HIV and AIDS programmes.
E-mail: edithlengwe@yahoo.com and website: www.inerela.org
CHILDREN DIGNITY FORUM, TANZANIA
CDF focuses on training and capacity building; policy advocacy; research, publication and documentation;
counseling, life skills, health services and legal aid support for children, young mothers, young wives and
child widows. E-mail: cdftanzania@gmail.com and website: www.cdf-tz.org
ASSOCIATION FOR HELP OF DEVELOPMENT (PFUNANI), MOZAMBIQUE
PFUNANI advocates for the access of information and treatment related to health in general and HIV/AIDS
for women and children through community mobilization on prevention of HIV/AIDS, raising awareness
about women rights in access of health and treatment, advocacy and dissemination of HIV/AIDS legislation
and information. E-mail: taniamariza@live.com.pt
PHELISANANG BOPHELONG, LESOTHO
Phelisanang Bophelong (PB) is a community-based support group for people living with HIV and AIDS
(PLWHA) in the district of Leribe in Lesotho. E-Mail: pbophelong@datacom.co.ls
ACTION SIDA, COMOROS
Action SIDA is an association which focuses on primary prevention of HIV through activities such as aware-
ness raising on HIV, sexually transmitted infections and sexual risk; distribution of materials on prevention;
distribution of condoms and outreach to target groups including men who have sex with men, transgender
people and sex workers. E-mail: dafouad@gmail.com or actionsida@gmail.com
Introducing New Staff at ARASA...
Nyaradzo Chari-Imbayango
HIV Training Officer
Johannesburg
nyaradzo@arasa.org.na
Boniswa Seti
HIV/ TB Advocacy and Training Officer
Cape Town
boniswa@arasa.org.na
Alan Msosa
Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant
Windhoek
alan@arasa.org.na
Welcome to the ARASA team!
ARASA NEWSLETTER
PAGE 11
Call for Interns from ARASA Partner Organisations
Over the past few years ARASA has facilitated a successful partner exchange internship
programme with a view to promoting exchange of expertise and experience among
ARASA partners.
Interns from partner organisations are placed with more experienced partners for a
period of about one month to enable the interns to gain experience in the work of the
partner organisation with the aim of strengthening the capacity of the sending partner.
We hereby announce the availability of 2 internships for a period of 4 to 12 weeks
during 2009. ARASA will cover all expenses for this placement including travel and
accommodation. Interns will be expected to collaborate with the host partner to
develop a workplan for the duration of their internship and must submit a
comprehensive report upon completion of their internship.
Please send your curriculum vitae, application letter (outlining your
motivation to apply for this internship, field of interest, intended period of the intern-
Director:
ship and which ARASA partner you would like to be hosted by) and a motivational letter
from your organisation (motivating why you are a good candidate and how the
michaela@arasa.org.na
organisation will benefit from your placement) to Jacob Segale at jacob@arasa.org.na
You can also contact Jacob should you require more information on the internship
Programmes Manager: programme.
felicita@arasa.org.na
Advocacy & Lobbying:
nyaradzo@arasa.org.na
Training:
jacob@arasa.org.na
Contact Us
Access to Treatment:
paula@arasa.org.na
ARASA Cape Town ARASA Johannesburg ARASA Regional Office
5th Floor 8th Floor 53 Mont Blanc Street
Communications:
Mercantile Building Sable Centre P.O. Box 97100,
gillian@arasa.org.na
63 Hout Street 41 Dekorte Street Maerua Mall
Cape Town 8001 Braamfontein Windhoek, Namibia
Office Co-ordinator: Tel.: +264 (061) 300 381
Tel.: + 27 (021) 422 5483 Tel.: + 27 (011) 403 77 19
maggie@arasa.org.na Fax: + 27 (011) 403 77 19 Fax: + 264 (061) 227 675
Fax.: + 27 (021) 627 1317
ARASA NEWSLETTER
