Future of Africa's children at stake

By Shavaughn Haack

Sipho,* a beautiful baby boy and his twin brother were brought into the world at a Johannesburg hospital. This story should inspire hope and wonder for the future. But his status proves to be a tragic twist to the story; his mother is HIV positive and Sipho* is tested as positive due to his mother’s antibodies. Sipho* is also born with his legs next to his head, a condition that is not too uncommon and is operable. Yet because of his status, doctors don’t operate and he is abandoned in the hospital by his mother. When Sipho* is subsequently retested the results show that he is in fact HIV negative. A new challenge already awaits little Sipho*, where will the funding for this operation come from now? In the mean time, Sipho’s* development is delayed. The odds are stacked against him from the start.

As a student and a future member of the working population, I see the future of our country in dire need of help. Graca Machel says that all children are vulnerable, no matter the continent or country or community into which they are born. South Africa has the most AIDS orphans; these little people should have the opportunity to one day lead our country to great things but they are crippled by mistakes, traditions and lack of education of generations before them. We, as South Africans can no longer be apathetic about the AIDS pandemic and we have a social responsibility to pave the way for a better future for our country. So get involved, you can make a difference.

Hijacking murder – nothing stolen

By Shavaughn Haack
I found that browsing through internet news sites, I was bombarded with bad news. Considering South Africa’s high crime rate it’s interesting which atrocities make the news. Evidently reporters and community members are enraged that good Samaritan, Bianca Warburton was brutally murdered in Alexandra township, the very community she was helping. And with good reason, it seems to be an attempted hijacking but after she was shot, nothing was taken. Unfortunately this kind of irrational violence is not uncommon. What is interesting to me is the intense coverage of this event. My question is what makes one news event more news worthy than another?

The headline, Intern killed on way to help moms and tots, along with the photograph really grabbed my attention. The photo caught my eye because it particularly emotive: a young, happy, attractive couple who will never again meet this side of heaven. I can only imagine the sense of loss and pain that is inevitable for family. Warburton is referred to as an “angel” by The Post. The coverage evokes sad, distraught and angry reactions effectively.

The article is a contribution to the war against crime in South Africa. It is intolerable; people can’t seem to help one another without fearing for their own life. Still, the follow up reports praise the police for their swift action and three arrests. Hopefully justice will be served for the sake of the family and for our country.