South Africa – The Pills and the Potato
25min 00sec – June 2004
A report by Khadija Magardie & Anneliese Burgess
It's a song of praise for a drug these people passionately believe in. This is the local clinic in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. It's one of the few places in SA providing anti-retroviral drugs to the poor. It is part of a test site run by the Department of Health and Medecins Sans Frontieres... an international NGO. The aim, to see if what works here, will work in the rest of the country.
BODWENI VISUALS 6'36"
This is Bodweni - two hours by dirt road from Lusikisiki. It's beautiful, remote and isolated. But here, in the middle of nowhere, is a brand-new government clinic. It's one of 12 such centres in these mountains and valleys.
Today Medicins Sans Frontiere and the Dept of Health are running a joint workshop. They're training a community committee to assess potential HIV patients to go on the drugs. Some of those on the committee are on ARVs themselves. But everyone here is now being trained to understand the drugs... what the side-effects are... when people should start taking them. The aim is to involve the community in the treatment. So they can help decide who goes on the treatment... to assist and support them once they do.
UPS: Sister Boniwe Charlie
UPS: Petros Nlango: Clinic Committee
UPS: Sister Boniwe Charlie
MARCH VISUALS
It's a cool Friday morning in Lusikisiki. A group of activists are gathering to march for anti-retrovirals. One of the organisers is 25 year old firebrand, Akona Ntsaluba. She's HIV positive and has been taking ARVs for four months. Before she took the drugs she could hardly walk. Today she will toyi-toyi.
UPS:
All of us here know that lemon and garlic and beetroot don't do anything to Aids.
We know the voting date and we know where to vote. Now what we want is the date for Anti-retrovirals.
V/O OVER MARCH VISUALS
The Lusikisiki test site has spawned a new generation of activists. Ten years into democracy, the struggle songs of old have been adapted for a new battle. The same tunes that sang against apartheid, now sing for AZT. Akhona fights this battle with the will to survive and the fire of the converted.
STANDUPPER
ADBREAK 1 after the break: the garlic lady
PART 2
(UPS NATSOUND)
(OVER PIC OF MAN COVERED WITH CROSSES)
These are the angry voices and stark images of HIV in South Africa. A country with close to four million HIV infections - but a government that apparently lacks the political will to fight them. Aids is the new struggle - and "treatment for all" the rallying cry.
(PAUSE FOR ZACKIE)
(OVER POSTER PICS)
In the firing line is the Minister of Health. For foot-dragging over providing anti-Aids drugs in public hospitals and clinics. And her mixed messages to the public... that eating garlic and olive oil can keep Aids at bay
(UPS MANTO)
(PAUSE FOR KHAYA FM INTRO)
(OVER KRISELDA SAYING "...ABSOLUTELY...)
Kriselda Kananda has had HIV for seven years. She co-hosts a popular weekly radio show that promotes healthy living for people with HIV.
(PICK UP OVER OTHER HOST SAYING "WE ALL...)
She personally is healthy, she says, thanks to the controversial garlic and olive oil diet... endorsed by the Minister of Health.
(UPS KRISELDA)
(PAUSE FOR ASHING CIGARETTE)
(PICK UP OVER HANDS)
This is the "she" behind the diet that has delighted news editors and cartoonists alike. Tine van der Maas. She and her partner, her mother Nellie, claim the diet saves people from the death grip of Aids.
(NATSOUND TINE)
(PICK UP OVER PICTURE OF NELLIE)
Tine and her mother are not official advisers. But the van der Maas diet has the attention and endorsement of the Minister of Health.
(UPS TINE VAN DER MAAS)
(PICK UP OVER LEMON CUTTING)
They claim this is all there is in their anti-Aids arsenal. Fresh vegetables, cereal, and a concoction of lemons, water and olive oil.
(UPS TINE)
(UPS KRISELDA)
(PICK UP OVER SWITCH)
As easy as switching on a liquidiser, claims van der Maas. But it's not that simple, most medical professionals would argue. They say no amount of good nutrition can stave off the ravages of the virus, that anti-retroviral drugs are the only way. But van der Maas claims she has no shortage of patients.
(UPS TINE)
(PICK UP DIRECTLY AFTER UPSOUND)
Special Assignment took up her challenge to meet these allegedly resurrected patients. We were accompanied by nurses from the Red Cross in Bloemfontein. They've cared for the same patients... and say they can vouch that van der Maas' diet helps people with HIV. But they didn't want to be interviewed. They say their employer, the Red Cross, doesn't endorse the diet.
(PAUSE FOR GREETINGS)
(PICK UP OVER WIDE, PONY_TAILED WOMAN WALKING IN)
Like this man, who asked not to be named. He says he was at death's door less than a year ago. Now, thanks to the diet, he is getting better. He claims he is now living healthily with HIV - instead of dying from Aids.
(UPS NELLIE)
(UPS GUY)
(UPS TINE)
(PICK UP AT "REMEMBER I PROMISED...)
Van der Maas and her mother say they do not profit from the diet. They only charge those who can afford to pay, and then, only for the ingredients. They say they live off Nellie van der Maas' pension... not off fat government endorsements
(PAUSE NATSOUND)
(OVER TILT UP TO WALKING GUY)
Their patient says he feels re-born. Last year he was bed-ridden... with Aids tugging at his life. He had such chronic bed-sores they ate into the nerve endings of his legs. Today he is learning to walk again. Thanks, he says, to Tine van der Maas' diet.
(UPS KRISELDA)
(OVER CHANTING AND POSTERS)
True. But many others say drugs, not vegetables are the best option for people with HIV.
(UPS TINE)
(OVER GATE SHOT)
This is another of van der Maas' patients. He has HIV, but he is healthy, without anti-retrovirals. He recently got married, and runs a thriving business fixing electronics from his home. A few months ago, he says, he was dying
(UPS PATIENT)
(PICK UP OVER HOUSES)
Poverty breeds Aids. Ignorance can be life-threatening. So anyone offering a way out becomes a saviour. In this township outside Bloemfontein, yet another person with HIV is on van der Maas' diet.
(PAUSE FOR A BIT OF LAUGHING)
She too, says she was nearly dead, until she tried the diet. She claims she got well, stopped the diet... then got sick again. Now she is trying a second time. Van der Maas wants to send out a message that she has never said her diet cures Aids. It is just an immune booster.
(UPS NATSOUND
(UPS TINE)
(UPS PATIENT)
Prof Demetre Labadarios
Head: Dept of Human Nutrition, Univ Stellenbosch
ADBREAK 2 pills for the people
PART 3
STANDUPPER
Sister Nozibele Ntuli works for Medicins Sans Frontier. Once a week she and 3 doctors visit all 12 clinics in the area.... to oversee the ARV programme. This test site shows the programme can work and is not impossible to implement.
Akhona is one of (????...) HIV-positive patients in the Lusikisiki clinic network. She's here today to renew her medication. But they won't just be dished out to her. Sister Ntuli will first check her progress... examine her for side effects.
NAT UPS
(ON HANDS) AKHONA says ARVs have given her back her life. Since going onto the medication she has regained almost 10 kilograms. She was chronically exhausted and had severe bed sores and a crippling vaginal infection. Today these are gone. The only side-effect from her medication is slight nausea.
FAMILY VISIT UPSOUND
HOME VISIT VISUALS
This life time commitment starts with a home visit by a counsellor. Today Mfundo Sogobile is visiting Rose Vulesangwen and her family. She's been an Aids patient at her local clinic for a while... she's now at the point where her CD4 count is so low that she qualifies for ARV treatment.
Mfundo will counsel her before giving her file to the Community Committee. They will then decide whether she should go onto the treatment or not.
By the time Mfundo arrives the room is full of neighbours. They heard of his visit and are waiting with questions of their own. Many have sick family members and want to know what to do.
If you have been tested HIV-positive
you shouldn't think its over.
Even if you are HIV-positive,
you must know life goes on.
No one knows when you will die.
We hear on the radio this
treatment is dangerous.
It's only dangerous if there's
No one to look after you. (EWE)
Yes, that's what we were scared of...
No don't worry, we are experienced in this. (naso...ok)
17 06
I start hallucinating a few weeks ago.
I just saw things flying around.
05 27 16
Just before zoom
What did the nurses say at the clinic?
I didn't tell them because
I thought they would shout at me.
05 5717
It's important that you go back
and tell the doctors what's going on
so they can prescribe other pills for you
062110
This questionnaire I will now take back to the committee.
They will make the final decision whether you will receive treatment.
063810
UPS: TAC
UPS: AKHONA
HALL VISUALS & CREDITS
BACKGROUND INFO AS PER HEALTH E NEWS AND TAC WEBSITE
Government stands accused of dragging its heels on a comprehensive plan to fight the HIV. Resource constraints are cited . Government in 2000 launched the National AIDS Council and technical task teams to advise government on policy issues.
TAC established to lobby for accessible and affordable treatment for people with HIV
In 200 TAC took government to court to force it to provide anti AIDS drug Nevirapine to HIV positive mothers
Minister of Health has been accused of lacking political will. Recently stand-off where government justified delaying giving anti-Aids drugs is that the tender process for anti-retroviral medicines was incomplete.
Fighting against pricing regulations for the drugs as well
There are treatments available to increase life expectancy of HIV positive people.
A lot of it is to do with over -pricing of medicines, and government's apparent mismanagement of the disease
TAC launched in1998
25min 00sec – June 2004
A report by Khadija Magardie & Anneliese Burgess
It's a song of praise for a drug these people passionately believe in. This is the local clinic in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. It's one of the few places in SA providing anti-retroviral drugs to the poor. It is part of a test site run by the Department of Health and Medecins Sans Frontieres... an international NGO. The aim, to see if what works here, will work in the rest of the country.
BODWENI VISUALS 6'36"
This is Bodweni - two hours by dirt road from Lusikisiki. It's beautiful, remote and isolated. But here, in the middle of nowhere, is a brand-new government clinic. It's one of 12 such centres in these mountains and valleys.
Today Medicins Sans Frontiere and the Dept of Health are running a joint workshop. They're training a community committee to assess potential HIV patients to go on the drugs. Some of those on the committee are on ARVs themselves. But everyone here is now being trained to understand the drugs... what the side-effects are... when people should start taking them. The aim is to involve the community in the treatment. So they can help decide who goes on the treatment... to assist and support them once they do.
UPS: Sister Boniwe Charlie
UPS: Petros Nlango: Clinic Committee
UPS: Sister Boniwe Charlie
MARCH VISUALS
It's a cool Friday morning in Lusikisiki. A group of activists are gathering to march for anti-retrovirals. One of the organisers is 25 year old firebrand, Akona Ntsaluba. She's HIV positive and has been taking ARVs for four months. Before she took the drugs she could hardly walk. Today she will toyi-toyi.
UPS:
All of us here know that lemon and garlic and beetroot don't do anything to Aids.
We know the voting date and we know where to vote. Now what we want is the date for Anti-retrovirals.
V/O OVER MARCH VISUALS
The Lusikisiki test site has spawned a new generation of activists. Ten years into democracy, the struggle songs of old have been adapted for a new battle. The same tunes that sang against apartheid, now sing for AZT. Akhona fights this battle with the will to survive and the fire of the converted.
STANDUPPER
ADBREAK 1 after the break: the garlic lady
PART 2
(UPS NATSOUND)
(OVER PIC OF MAN COVERED WITH CROSSES)
These are the angry voices and stark images of HIV in South Africa. A country with close to four million HIV infections - but a government that apparently lacks the political will to fight them. Aids is the new struggle - and "treatment for all" the rallying cry.
(PAUSE FOR ZACKIE)
(OVER POSTER PICS)
In the firing line is the Minister of Health. For foot-dragging over providing anti-Aids drugs in public hospitals and clinics. And her mixed messages to the public... that eating garlic and olive oil can keep Aids at bay
(UPS MANTO)
(PAUSE FOR KHAYA FM INTRO)
(OVER KRISELDA SAYING "...ABSOLUTELY...)
Kriselda Kananda has had HIV for seven years. She co-hosts a popular weekly radio show that promotes healthy living for people with HIV.
(PICK UP OVER OTHER HOST SAYING "WE ALL...)
She personally is healthy, she says, thanks to the controversial garlic and olive oil diet... endorsed by the Minister of Health.
(UPS KRISELDA)
(PAUSE FOR ASHING CIGARETTE)
(PICK UP OVER HANDS)
This is the "she" behind the diet that has delighted news editors and cartoonists alike. Tine van der Maas. She and her partner, her mother Nellie, claim the diet saves people from the death grip of Aids.
(NATSOUND TINE)
(PICK UP OVER PICTURE OF NELLIE)
Tine and her mother are not official advisers. But the van der Maas diet has the attention and endorsement of the Minister of Health.
(UPS TINE VAN DER MAAS)
(PICK UP OVER LEMON CUTTING)
They claim this is all there is in their anti-Aids arsenal. Fresh vegetables, cereal, and a concoction of lemons, water and olive oil.
(UPS TINE)
(UPS KRISELDA)
(PICK UP OVER SWITCH)
As easy as switching on a liquidiser, claims van der Maas. But it's not that simple, most medical professionals would argue. They say no amount of good nutrition can stave off the ravages of the virus, that anti-retroviral drugs are the only way. But van der Maas claims she has no shortage of patients.
(UPS TINE)
(PICK UP DIRECTLY AFTER UPSOUND)
Special Assignment took up her challenge to meet these allegedly resurrected patients. We were accompanied by nurses from the Red Cross in Bloemfontein. They've cared for the same patients... and say they can vouch that van der Maas' diet helps people with HIV. But they didn't want to be interviewed. They say their employer, the Red Cross, doesn't endorse the diet.
(PAUSE FOR GREETINGS)
(PICK UP OVER WIDE, PONY_TAILED WOMAN WALKING IN)
Like this man, who asked not to be named. He says he was at death's door less than a year ago. Now, thanks to the diet, he is getting better. He claims he is now living healthily with HIV - instead of dying from Aids.
(UPS NELLIE)
(UPS GUY)
(UPS TINE)
(PICK UP AT "REMEMBER I PROMISED...)
Van der Maas and her mother say they do not profit from the diet. They only charge those who can afford to pay, and then, only for the ingredients. They say they live off Nellie van der Maas' pension... not off fat government endorsements
(PAUSE NATSOUND)
(OVER TILT UP TO WALKING GUY)
Their patient says he feels re-born. Last year he was bed-ridden... with Aids tugging at his life. He had such chronic bed-sores they ate into the nerve endings of his legs. Today he is learning to walk again. Thanks, he says, to Tine van der Maas' diet.
(UPS KRISELDA)
(OVER CHANTING AND POSTERS)
True. But many others say drugs, not vegetables are the best option for people with HIV.
(UPS TINE)
(OVER GATE SHOT)
This is another of van der Maas' patients. He has HIV, but he is healthy, without anti-retrovirals. He recently got married, and runs a thriving business fixing electronics from his home. A few months ago, he says, he was dying
(UPS PATIENT)
(PICK UP OVER HOUSES)
Poverty breeds Aids. Ignorance can be life-threatening. So anyone offering a way out becomes a saviour. In this township outside Bloemfontein, yet another person with HIV is on van der Maas' diet.
(PAUSE FOR A BIT OF LAUGHING)
She too, says she was nearly dead, until she tried the diet. She claims she got well, stopped the diet... then got sick again. Now she is trying a second time. Van der Maas wants to send out a message that she has never said her diet cures Aids. It is just an immune booster.
(UPS NATSOUND
(UPS TINE)
(UPS PATIENT)
Prof Demetre Labadarios
Head: Dept of Human Nutrition, Univ Stellenbosch
ADBREAK 2 pills for the people
PART 3
STANDUPPER
Sister Nozibele Ntuli works for Medicins Sans Frontier. Once a week she and 3 doctors visit all 12 clinics in the area.... to oversee the ARV programme. This test site shows the programme can work and is not impossible to implement.
Akhona is one of (????...) HIV-positive patients in the Lusikisiki clinic network. She's here today to renew her medication. But they won't just be dished out to her. Sister Ntuli will first check her progress... examine her for side effects.
NAT UPS
(ON HANDS) AKHONA says ARVs have given her back her life. Since going onto the medication she has regained almost 10 kilograms. She was chronically exhausted and had severe bed sores and a crippling vaginal infection. Today these are gone. The only side-effect from her medication is slight nausea.
FAMILY VISIT UPSOUND
HOME VISIT VISUALS
This life time commitment starts with a home visit by a counsellor. Today Mfundo Sogobile is visiting Rose Vulesangwen and her family. She's been an Aids patient at her local clinic for a while... she's now at the point where her CD4 count is so low that she qualifies for ARV treatment.
Mfundo will counsel her before giving her file to the Community Committee. They will then decide whether she should go onto the treatment or not.
By the time Mfundo arrives the room is full of neighbours. They heard of his visit and are waiting with questions of their own. Many have sick family members and want to know what to do.
If you have been tested HIV-positive
you shouldn't think its over.
Even if you are HIV-positive,
you must know life goes on.
No one knows when you will die.
We hear on the radio this
treatment is dangerous.
It's only dangerous if there's
No one to look after you. (EWE)
Yes, that's what we were scared of...
No don't worry, we are experienced in this. (naso...ok)
17 06
I start hallucinating a few weeks ago.
I just saw things flying around.
05 27 16
Just before zoom
What did the nurses say at the clinic?
I didn't tell them because
I thought they would shout at me.
05 5717
It's important that you go back
and tell the doctors what's going on
so they can prescribe other pills for you
062110
This questionnaire I will now take back to the committee.
They will make the final decision whether you will receive treatment.
063810
UPS: TAC
UPS: AKHONA
HALL VISUALS & CREDITS
BACKGROUND INFO AS PER HEALTH E NEWS AND TAC WEBSITE
Government stands accused of dragging its heels on a comprehensive plan to fight the HIV. Resource constraints are cited . Government in 2000 launched the National AIDS Council and technical task teams to advise government on policy issues.
TAC established to lobby for accessible and affordable treatment for people with HIV
In 200 TAC took government to court to force it to provide anti AIDS drug Nevirapine to HIV positive mothers
Minister of Health has been accused of lacking political will. Recently stand-off where government justified delaying giving anti-Aids drugs is that the tender process for anti-retroviral medicines was incomplete.
Fighting against pricing regulations for the drugs as well
There are treatments available to increase life expectancy of HIV positive people.
A lot of it is to do with over -pricing of medicines, and government's apparent mismanagement of the disease
TAC launched in1998