Thirteen years after the end of Apartheid, South Africa, a major destination for tourists and the host of the next Soccer World Cup, is faced with a number of challenges. The Aids epidemic not only afflicts one in three South Africans, but has also contributed to the rise of deadly infectious diseasessuch as Tuberculosis, Typhus and Cholera. Close to 20 million people live at the threshold of poverty, most of whom are housed in tin shanties with no electricity nor running water and totally unacceptable hygienic conditions. Crime is on a continuous steady rise with 18,000 people assassinated every year making South Africa the world’s second most dangerous country, just after Iraq. And as the most developed country on the African continent, South Africa is where 6 to 10 million African refugees have chosen to seek out their new home.
Faced with these challenges, South African churches and religious leaders are turning to the country’s governing political party,The African National Congress. With corruption running rapid and morality scarce, religious institutions have come to the rescue of the country’s poor and needy. The Catholic church, despite its minority position, has a strong hold on the country’s health system and is active at grassroots level. It no longer hesitates to impose itself upon the government, as well as actively lobby Parliament in order to push changes and restore social justice.
Genre: History & Society, Africa, Documentary
Director: Eric Elléna
Producers: French Connection Films, KTO
Year: 2007
Length: 52 minutes
Languages: English, French
Partners: French Film Board (CNC), South African Airways, South African Catholic Bishop’s Council
Broadcasters: KTO (France), TSR (Switzerland), Religia TV (Poland), Salt & Light TV (Canada), RTP (Portugal)
English
Français