Health and Security - HIV/AIDS in Post-apartheid South Africa

Abstract: In a strange and awkward way the transition to democracy in South Africa have occurred simultaneously as the HIV/AIDS epidemic firmly and steadily have strengthen its grip around the country. HIV/AIDS have become security a process referred to as securitization. With security theory provided by the Copenhagen School a theoretical framework is constructed discussing the possibilities and pros and cons of health securitization. By studying the events in the most recent South African history dating from 1994 ? 2004 the author wants to show the dynamics of the securitization process of HIV/AIDS. The study shows that HIV/AIDS has a very complex relation to the South African society. Remnants of apartheid, traditional beliefs, tensions between the developed and developing world on who has the right answers, and political scandals and inaction have all formed the South African HIV/AIDS discourse. The result of this discourse is shown in how HIV/AIDS and those infected by HIV and those with AIDS are treated by the rest of the society.