SIXTY-SECONDS FOR PEACE AT NORKEM PARK HIGH SCHOOL

It doesn't sound like much of a sacrifice, does it? When first proposed, I actually had fellow teachers laugh at such an idea...they said it would never work. They were wrong!

The idea came to me when I realized September 11 was an important date in more than one way. Any American knows what that date means in our history (indeed, world history). No need to go into detail here. September 11, 2001 is a "date that will live in infamy"...to paraphrase President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Only this wasn't an attack by the forces of Japan; this was a dishonorable, dastardly, cowardly, vicious attack by civilians on civilians. They call it Jihad. Civilized people call it Terrorism.

South Africa has taught me about the peaceful approach of Mohandas K. Gandhi and his introduction of Satyagraha to the world. It happened right here in Johannesburg. And it happened on September 11, 1906, hence, the 100th anniversary of his passive, peaceful resistance movement on September 11, 2006.

Actually, I've been teaching about Gandhi and peace for much of my career. Having attended a week-long conference on the Kingian philosophy of non-violence in Atlanta has also added to my extensive background in teaching peace. Once one is exposed to the peace movement, no matter whose frame of reference, it just builds and there seems to be added commitment to share the philosophy/ideas of peace.

Mohandas K. Gandhi's South African connection makes learning about him especially relevant for learners here. One particular incident changed his life forever, indeed it changed the world forever. Gandhi was thrown off a train in Pietermarizburg for travelling in the first-class compartment (only whites were permitted to be in that car). Although he had a first-class ticket he was told that only whites were allowed in that compartment and he must move to the third-class carriage. He refused to move and so his journey came to an abrupt end...and his life's work began at the same time.

Well, Norkem Park's Peace Wall has been painted a beautiful sky blue. The eleven concrete posts are white. As luck would have it, the eleven posts will be printed with the word for PEACE in all eleven official languages of South Africa. The languages will also be identified on the posts. They will be printed in the order given in the S.A. Constitution...starting with Sepedi...ending with isiZulu. This might cause a disagreement as to what language should go where, but we're prepared to show anyone THEIR Constitution and end the disagreement right there.

I plan on purchasing a South African Fire tree. The fire tree has beautiful, fire-like blossoms in spring and will symbolically represent an eternal flame for peace (at least that's the way I envision it). I've petitioned the American Embassy for a donation of a succulent plant or two from their gardens--thinking that would be something symbolic regarding America's search for peace in the world (yeah, yeah, I'm sure there might be some folks who think the U.S. is all for war. You're wrong! The peace movement is alive and well in America.

The Peace Wall will be completed sometime in later October (we hope). I'd like to see someone like a Desmond Tutu make himself available for our dedication ceremony, but that might be wishful thinking. We'll still try to find someone of note to be here. Ideas readily accepted!

So that's it. I'm proud of teaching peace here and hopefully the idea will spread and be implanted just like the plants we want to place in the ground in front of the wall. Mr. Thomas Tervit, the assistant principal, wants to see the Peace Wall become a part of tradition here...with the school observing PeaceOneDay each September 21 from this year on. He would also like to see something added to the Peace Wall area every year. I won't be here to carry on the new tradition, but it sure sounds like something worthwhile.

It's all an ideal, of course. Peace is very elusive and it almost seems useless to even try to reach for it. Nevertheless, Norkem Park High School has been introduced to the concept and that is very worthwhile for this American. I hope it is for you too...

TAKE A SHOWER WITH JACOB ZUMA OR EAT GARLIC CLOVES WITH HEALTH MINISTER MANTO!

Not much of a choice, huh? Former vice president of South Africa recommends taking a shower following sex with a partner that tested positive for HIV. Imagine this advice from a fellow who once headed up the country's Moral Regeneration Committee!

"Jump'n Jake" wants to be president of this fine country. He's now making headlines over accusations concerning corruption ("taking money under the table"), vis-a-vis a French arms company. The question arises: would you buy a used car from this guy?

Getting back to your choices. Now it's time to try to understand South Africa's health minister. Manto Tshabala-Msimang recently made international headlines with her antics at the 16th International Aids Conference, held in Toronto, Canada. Bad enough she makes news here...now she's garnering headlines in the international press.

She's known as "Mrs. Beetroot" in South Africa. In Toronto, the health minister exhibited garlic, lemon, African potato and beetroot--all as examples of her answer to the HIV-Aids crisis in South Africa. By doing so, the so-called health minister has also become known as a clown in international health circles.

Manto reasons that by ingesting combinations of the aforementioned natural products, one can combat HIV-Aids. It's all part of a nutrition diet she recommends for folks that are suffering from the initial impact of HIV. Just imagine sucking on garlic cloves, thinking that you've finally found the "cure" for your bad sexual habits. A simple walk through the local grocery store can be part of your medical history!

This country has issued strong criticism against American President George Bush's Presidential Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), particularly regarding its policy about condom use advocacy. Few here can deny the impact that the fund has had in the serious fight against HIV-Aids.

I've learned that through PEPFAR, around $15-billion will be allocated to 15 countries, including South Africa. The American fund will be distributed over a 5-year period to assist highly affected countries in overcoming their HIV-Aids epidemics. South Africa's case is the most serious around these parts, perhaps in the world.

My tax dollars are helping fund this crusade against one of the most serious pandemics ever to confront humankind. Mrs. Beetroot counters this generosity by the American people with her "home-grown" recipe for disaster. And the guy who would be president tells his people taking a shower will help minimize the chances of contracting HIV-Aids! And these are the "leaders", present and future, for South Africa!

I'm told South Africa is losing over 3,000 citizens weekly to the scourge of HIV-Aids. That's a lot of funerals. If there are career classes in the high schools I would be recommending the mortuary science field to the youngsters--the business is going to continue to boom.

The pandemic affects every facet of South African life. Schools are "breeding grounds" for sexually-transmitted diseases. As far as I can ascertain, there is no concerted program of study for young people in the schools relative to this disease. There seems to be casual mention of it by administrators and teachers.

Simply put, this country is in grave danger of eventually losing generations of potential productive citizens--all because its leaders seemingly do not want to face up to their responsibilities regarding HIV-Aids. There is much consternation here over President Mbeki's lack of motivation to speak out about the crisis. His inaction speaks volumes to the populace. Meanwhile, the thousands of victims are being added to a long, long list of people who should not have died from this terrible disease.

The facts speak for themselves. As great as this country is, there is an inability of its leaders to come to grips with this crisis. More than anything, there is a crisis in leadership here regarding what to do with the HIV-Aids pandemic. Oh, the USA has a leadership crisis too (regarding the war in Iraq, etc.), but the crisis here is much more pressing. The people here need answers--NOW!

UPDATED REMARKS:

The South African government finally acted on shutting the mouth of their esteemed, but mis-directed health minister. The Star (Johannesburg) newspaper, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006, featured a front-page news article on "Mrs. Beetroot." The artist depicted her with huge bandages slapped tightly across her (big) mouth...a fitting rendering of her being shut-down by her fellow ministers. It was very satisfying for me in that I had just submitted a very critical article on the health minister and her evident stupid responses to the HIV-Aids pandemic here. Unfortunately, the government ministers decided to keep her as health minister, simply ordering her to not speak out on the HIV-Aids issue. Too bad they didn't send her packing! There is no doubt politics played a part in the decision-making process (she is a favorite of President Mbeki). Manto also was a hit with visiting Russian president, Vladimir Putin. Apparantely, she graduated from a medical institution in Leningrad some time ago and she also gave one of her children a Russian name. All very impressive, but she still should have been exiled to a gulag in Siberia...