Sanza Tshabalala (For Dazed & Confused : Japan)

In The Words of
The Average Citizen: "Loosely I believe that our government moved in with a very democratic ideal. Contrary to popular belief I feel that our government does care and we as young South Africans, should care about the fact that it cares. In the midst of all the controversy I also believe our health minister was and hopefully still is a great medical brain. Many may forget but she was a nurse/doctor and active in the days of the struggle. I see President Thabo Mbheki, as a deep thinker and despite what people may say, I believe he does care about the legacy that Tata Mandela has bestowed on South Africans. But different leaders have different challenges and HIV/Aids is a huge challenge to most world governments.

"Truth be told who is having it easy anywhere in the world with HIV/Aids? As the youth we need to make it our business to learn more and come up with well-researched opinions about not just the virus spread but also about solutions in this fight against HIV/Aids. I know for a fact that South Africa is investing in youth to research and help heal, not only our nation, but also the entire continent in hope of bringing about and a lasting solution to this mess. So really, as a South African I don’t take kindly to all the hyped up criticism from the so-called caring theorists- both from around the world and within our borders who say things like “ The South African government is killing its people with regards to healing, testing and preventing HIV/AIDS amongst its people. There are so many unanswered questions like “ Can our government legislate sex? Or how can government prevent the numbers of HIV infections and stop the spread of Aids?”

"Fair enough, but it seems that the answer the world wants is for us as Africans to “buy oils from the Western pharmaceuticals at the expense of many other equally important responsibilities. Namely education, poverty and other socially crucial faculties, which in reality are related to HIV/Aids. Whatever the answer might be youth have to continue with all these challenges. Just like youth who lived in the times of World War One and Two. Those affected during the in the Gulf War and the war on terrorism. The young people who fought during apartheid, those now living in the reality of the crisis in Zimbabwe .The millions affected by famine and many other struggles that the world has seen. I remain hopeful that the world joins that chant and we continue probing and living in this dying or dying in this living. Ras Faya."

Later.