HAMBA KAHLE - NKOSI JOHNSON 1 June 2001 Nkosi's Johnson's death, like the death of any child, is an incalculable and tragic loss to his family and community. The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) extends its condolences to the family of Nkosi Johnson - especially his grandmother Ruth Khumalo and his mother Gail Johnson. For all people living with HIV/AIDS and global society, Nkosi Johnson was both a symbol and an activist in the campaign to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and to eliminate discrimination against people weth HIV/AIDS. Together with his mother Gail Johnson, Nkosi pioneered openness for learners with HIV/AIDS at school. The government's National Policy On HIV/AIDS For Learners and Educators In Public Schools, And Students And Educators In Further Education And Training Institutions was a direct consequence of the discrimination and subsequent acceptance faced by Nkosi Johnson at MelvillePrimary. His stand has made it easier for many children with HIV/AIDS and those affected by HIV/AIDS to attend school and to assert their rights to dignity, equality and education. Nkosi Johnson's premature and unnecessary death has made all our lives and worlds poorer and emptier. But, his memory is also a clarion call to act. Across Africa and the developing world paediatric AIDS is claiming millions of lives. Children irrespective of their HIV/AIDS status continue to go hungry and do not have access to any form of social security. Health-care systems fail children. Women still do not have access to anti-retrovirals to prevent mother-to-child transmission and governments fail their peoples by not providing treatment for HIV/AIDS. "Children, such as Nkosi Johnson, should be enjoying a life filled with joy, laughter and happiness," said former President Mandela. Instead, children in South Africa are suffering. * In South Africa, two hundred babies are born with HIV every day. TAC calls on the South African government to immediately implement a national mother-to-child HIV prevention programme. This is an essential prevention measure. * Already, our country has 500 000 children whose parents have died of AIDS-related illnesses. TAC demands that government extend the coverage and increase the amount of the child support grant. * TAC reminds government of our demand to announce a Treatment Plan for all people with HIV/AIDS before 16th June 2001. Government's failure to act on these demands will make any of their condolences and candlelight memorials ring hollow. Hector Petersen, martyr of the June 1976 uprising symbolised the determination of South Africans to struggle against racism and exploitation. Former President Mandela called Nkosi Johnson: "an icon of the struggle for life." Today, International Children's Day - June 2001, Nkosi Johnson symbolises the fight of poor and oppressed people across the world, especially the people living with HIV/AIDS for life, social justice and equality. Some facts about children in South Africa and other developing countries ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Infant Mortality Rate(deaths in children under the age of one year) SA - 45 per 1000 live births Botswana - 40 per 1000 live births Brazil - 36 per 1000 live births Thailand - 30 per 1000 live births Mexico - 25 per 1000 live births Cuba - 10 per 1000 live births Under 5 Mortality SA - 59 per 1000 live births Botswana - 50 per live births Brazil - 42 per 1000 live births Thailand - 37 per 1000 live births Mexico - 32 per 1000 live births Cuba - 10 per 1000 live births Yet South Africa has a higher per capita GDP than these countries. GDP per capita in US$ SA - 8488 Mexico - 7704 Brazil - 6625 Botswana - 6103 Thailand - 5456 Cuba - 3967 Developed Countries Infant Mortality Under 5 GDP per capita Norway 4 4 26342 France 5 5 21175 Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2000 (mortality stats are for 1998) Further SA Stats Immunised children * 65% of children are immunised against deseases such as polio and measles * Mother to child HIV transmission Over 60 000 children born with HIV every year * Hospital admission children with HIV 20-35% of state hospital beds for children are occupied by by children with HIV/AIDS * Asthma 13% of all South African children have asthma * TB 5 000 new cases of TB in children are reported every year * Nutritional Status 1 in every 5 children is stunted. 1 in every 10 children is underweight.