The Masimanyane Empilisiweni Exhibition (English)

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Violence, rape, poverty and a sense of abandonment are increasingly common problems in South Africa. Violence against women and young girls in particular has increased dramatically over the course of the last decades. The Masimanyane organization, its name meaning “let us unite”, was launched in 1995 by Dr. Leslie-Anne Foster. Its aim is to offer gender-sensitive service to women affected by violence. One all too common result of the increasingly violent attitudes and acts against women is the spread of HIV in South Africa.

In 2002, the organization founded its Empilisiweni (A Healthy Place) initiative in King Williams Town.

It is the stated ambition of Empilisiweni to educate the public about the problem of HIV and Aids. Sex remains a taboo subject, especially in the rural world of the Eastern Cape province. HIV infections are commonly related to sexual intercourse alone, and sufferers are stigmatized by society. The effect is an unwillingness among people to take HIV tests and among HIV-positive people to “come out” by using preventative measures, such as protected sex, avoiding breastfeeding, caesarean sections etc.

One of the key themes of the campaign tackles exactly this problem: “Remove the Stigma – know your status!” It aims to treat HIV as a disease just like many other common diseases, such as tuberculosis, cancer, or diabetes.

The men and women working on the campaign try to visit as many people as possible in their homes and talk to them about violence, sex, and diseases and their consequences. This is supported by public information events in schools, hospitals, and in the communities, as well as thorough health checks that are offered on site and free of charge. The campaign involves local community leaders, politicians or the police, as well as religious and traditional leaders.

The photo designer Maryatta Wegerif (36) has accompanied Empilisiweni for two weeks in its work in the villages. She has produced a photo essay with impressive images from the very heart of the Xhosa community of the Eastern Cape. She was invited into people’s homes and found friends that gave her a unique insight into the lives of the Xhosa people.

An exhibition of these images can bring the situation in South Africa closer to the people of Germany. The HIV disaster should not be forgotten by the football fans enjoying the 2010 Fifa World Cup hosted by South Africa. The many organizations who have committed themselves to fighting the spread of HIV in the country need reliable support and assistance. Fighting the disease also means fighting the seemingly insurmountable hurdles of tradition, the lack of awareness and education, and widespread ignorance about the disease. Many organizations are working on HIV prevention, aid for HIV sufferers, and help for their dependants. Their fight can seem hopeless in view of the overwhelming flood of new infections that shows little signs of lessening: even today, the rate of new infections in the Eastern Cape province lies at 1500 people every day.

In addition to the pictures of the people, places, and lives encountered by Empilisiweni, information material and an AV presentation about the work, health screenings, and the background of Empilisiweni is also available.