Mural and Graves, a photo from Eastern Cape, West

Photographer's Note

The mural was painted by some university fine arts students and graveyards are visibly expanding (it seems the population too), like this one beside the railway line, to the extent that they are becoming an environmental concern. Funeral undertakers seem to be making a killing.

However, according to Statistics South Africa (http://www.avert.org/safricastats.htm), 11% of the population have HIV/AIDS with no increase from 2002. According to the same survey, 29.4% of antenatal clinic attendees are infected. By race group, the percentages are: Black 13.6%, White 0,3%, Coloured 1.7% and Indian 0.3%. The following is a quote from that report:"In November 2010, Statistics South Africa published the report 'Mortality and causes of death in South Africa, 2008'. This large document contains tables of how many people died from each cause according to death notification forms.

The report reveals that the annual number of deaths rose by a massive 93% between 1997 and 2006. Among those aged 25-49 years, the rise was 173% in the same nine-year period. Part of the overall increase is due to population growth. However, this does not explain the disproportionate rise in deaths among people aged 25 to 49 years."

Unicef (http://www.unicef/infobycountry/southafrica_statistics/html#76) estimates the national infection figure at 17.8%.

PS: Would you like to share in the amazing experiences and images of three men from here riding their motorcycles for 13500 Km up the length of Africa? Visit their Cape-to-Cairo website at http://threefarmersandagreek.wordpress.com.

They have covered more than 10 000 Km now and have run into rather serious trouble with a passport having been stolen.

krzychu30, danos, pajaran, adores, Ilducabianco, abmdsudi, adramad, geoant68, SnapRJW, jhm, axiotea, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

krzychu30 (8879) 2011-05-07 2:58

Hello Neels,
beautiful mural painting,but also sad testimony of everyday life in Africa struggling with this terrible disease.Thank you for sharing and for very informative Note.
Have a nice weekend
Krzysztof

danos (74020) 2011-05-07 3:44

Hello Neels,
nice your reportage shot from this painting on the wall of the backdrop of the railway line.Reading Really your note tell us that the AIDS is a serious problem for the country,especially for the black citizens.

Regards,danos
PS i watch the riding of your fellows in this long trip,from Cape-to- Cairo.What a pity to have been stolen the passport or passports.

batalay (32860) 2011-05-07 5:50

Hello Neels,

I love this shot. I hope this mural lasts for years, and they should frame and preserve your note with it. Drop me a note at my email address, drbatalay@gmail.com, and I'll show you the code so that you can make active links that you cite. For example, South Africa Statistics or Cape-to-Cairo Website.

Warm regards,

Bulent

pajaran (36246) 2011-05-07 7:31

Pozdrav.
Dobar tekst sa podacima koji plase, strasno ...
Lep pogled na mural preko pruge i groblja, dobra poruka.
Dobar rad, poruka muralom i tekstom, dobra prikaz lepim bojama i fotografijom.
Pogledao sam fotografije na sajtu, hrabri motorciklisti, lepa priroda i mesta kroz koja prolaze. Nadam se da su resili problem sa pasosem.
Sve najbolje.
Dobar vikend.
Paja.

Google.

Hello.
A good article with information that fear, passion ...
Nice view of the mural over the railroad and the cemetery, a good message.
Good work, murals and text messages, good display beautiful colors and photo.
I looked at the photos on the site, the brave cyclist, beautiful nature and the places it goes through. I hope they solve a problem with the passport.
All the best.
Good weekend.
Paja.

annjackman (13219) 2011-05-07 9:33

Hello Neels,
An informative and important picture and note. I hope the drugs for HIV are now more freely available in South Africa.
The quality of the picture is excellent. Thanks for showing us this.
Best wishes, Ann

adores (28218) 2011-05-07 9:50

Hi Neels!
What a place! The graffiti is fantastic and the graves in foreground make the place so unique.And the train passes so close to them!Colours and sharpness are very good!

abmdsudi (26281) 2011-05-07 22:40

Hi Neels
What a wonderful image telling an incredible story, pict speaks a thousand words and I totally understand what you would have seen beyond the lens with this one. Thousands of children in Africa raised by their grandparents after parents die from AIDS, very sad indeed. This mural is a stark reminder of the pain that's gone before. You have captured this gorgeous mural, a street art beautifully with the nice added touch of the rail line below. Excellent informative description with data and stats. Pin-sharp detail I like the splash of colour on the sign, in contrast to the foreground graveyard. Well spotted and captured Neels, Congrats
Thanks for the link;
Best regards

adramad (27556) 2011-05-08 8:56

Hi Neels.
Magnificent mural painted with a special charm, the destination of the message of it is very laudable, but the terrible reality of AIDS infection cases is terrible, as we read in your note.
Very good quality of the image, color and brightness are also noted. Excellent work.
Have a nice day. Best regards.
Luis.

P / D. Thanks for the information of the link on the bikers travel from Cape Town to Cairo, there is very interesting and amazing pictures I have seen and still see a little more time.

Giorgio (11263) 2011-05-08 9:41

- Very nice and artistic composition Nells, excellent idea, well done!
Have a nice sunday.
giorgio

geoant68 (3450) 2011-05-08 23:48

Hello Neels,
the view of the mural paint on the wall tell us for the great problem of AIDS for the country.The government must try much more to solve it, to save a lot number of people.
The Cape-to-Cairo website is very interesting,with the stolen passport to make the life of them even more difficult.

Peter

subhendu_bagchi (16590) 2011-05-09 2:10

Namaste Neels,
an interesting composition here. Like the mural beside the grave yard. The view and your note both are very interesting. A nice presentation. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

SnapRJW (18752) 2011-05-09 7:37

Hello Neels - Your social comment images are always an eye-opener and here again you draw attention to the "inner workings" of SA. The mural and gravestones together are a vivid reminder of the hopes and fears of so many. Thanks for posting this and bly lekker. Rosemary

janusz2054 (306) 2011-05-09 10:05

Hello Neels,

Very good shot with nice graffiti .
Interesting composition.Colours and sharpness are perfect.
Best regards
Janusz

jhm (122458) 2011-05-13 4:21

Hello Neels,

I have with a lot attention your notes reading, this is truly a catastrophe.
The painting suitable excellent to these notes with dead and cemetery.
Sharpness and clarity be superb.
Excellent composition, nice color.
Well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

ghost_man (990) 2011-05-13 14:49

Excellent composition and wonderful work. Congratulations.

Urs (11826) 2011-05-17 22:04

Hi Neels

This painting is very attractive and its message is very clear and load. Hopefully it is heart by everybody. Very dynamic framing and execution with vibrant color hues and excellent sharpness. Well done

Warm regards
Urs

axiotea (21647) 2011-08-16 5:51

Bonjour Neels
This is a powerful image! Sad reality for millions of people! A well done framing, including the rails in FG and an interesting note too!
Cheers
Marilyn

macjake (39235) 2011-12-07 6:16

Hi Neels
Quite the telling tale...
pretty sad...
just looking at the style and types of graves should be an indication of the social economics of the area.
a fine cultural photo.
enjoy your day
craig