South Africa is a beautiful country with a lot of potential, but it also faces many challenges. Amongst the greatest challenges is the HIV/Aids pandemic.
This pandemic has a greater effect on our country and society than anybody can imagine. Not only do hundreds of people die every day as a result
of this illness but thousands of people are also indirectly affected – most of all the children. Thousands of children are affected by HIV virus and are
left behind by their parents as orphans at a very early age. Many of these have no adult who can care for them and are left in the care of siblings or
other children. South Africa at the moment has well over 2 million orphans directly affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This number is growing daily
and the predictions are that it could more than double in the next few years. The implications for society of children growing up on their own without
any care and guidance by adults are not difficult to imagine. Already South Africa has a soaring crime and unemployment rate. This will just increase
if we do not take care especially of the children who are without parents.