Zimbabwe's Anti-stigma Campaign
Sifelani Tsiko
3.26. 07

Harare,  Zimbabwe  
Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and Aids is still a major barrier in the fight against the disease even though more than 95 percent of Zimbabweans now know about the pandemic –a 'silent tsunami' which is ravaging in the country with devastating effect.

Population Services International (Zimbabwe) launched the second Anti-Stigma Campaign in Bulawayo (the second largest city) to help scale up partnerships and activities in the fight against the pandemic.

The launch of the campaign was memorable in many ways. Using the power of music, dance, poetry and testimonials from people living with HIV and Aids, the launch of the campaign at the Large City Hall made a significant impact on young people's attitudes and behaviour by providing them with necessary information to lead healthy lifestyles.

Zimbabwe musical icon, Oliver Mtukudzi who was the guest of honour, electrified the jam-packed Large City Hall strumming his guitar and churning out his powerful tunes on Aids.

One theme that constantly came out of Mtukudzi's songs was that  Zimbabweans should speak out about the pandemic and that each and every Zimbabwean had a duty to confront the disease.

 "Vakuru vakuru havataure, iyesu vakuru vakuru tisu tinofanira kudzikisa ruzivo pasi kune vasingazive," he said after belting out his famous sing-along tune 'Todini' (What shall we do). (Roughly translated: Top politicians must take the lead in raising awareness on the Aids pandemic.)

"Zvinonzi afa after a 'short illness,' after a 'long illness' kunge kufa kwacho kunosiyana hurefu," (Politicians have a knack for saying so-and-so died after a short illness or long illness as if death differs. Death is death)  the musical superstar said bantering with an enthusiastic crowd. "There is nothing like 'short illness.' Artists and politicians especially, should come out openly to tell us the truth of what would have happened to our fellow Zimbabweans."

Death has its own lessons in life. "There is always a lesson when someone dies. If we don't tell the people the exact cause of someone's death –'Tobva tati since zvabuda pawairesi ndizvozvo," (People will conclude that one died of Aids) said Mtukudzi to a standing ovation.

The atmosphere in the Large City Hall was electric and the enthusiastic crowd responded wildly to each and every tune that Tuku belted out sending a maddening noise across the hall.

PSI country director Michael Chommie said the second Anti-Stigma Campaign builds on the impact of the previous one raising awareness on the risks of unsafe sexual behaviour, discrimination and stigmatisation of people living with HIV and Aids.

He said the first campaign gave four ordinary Zimbabweans living with the disease a platform to dismiss the half-truths, to enlighten their communities and talk about living instead of 'crossing a red robot.' (negative perceptions about someone having contracted the disease)

"We hope all Zimbabweans will soon recognise that HIV and Aids affects everyone, not a single walk of life is untouched by the pandemic," Chommie said.

"We cannot remain silent at funerals, we should not disguise the disease by a vague reference to 'waiting in the departure lounge.' We need to learn that HIV is a chronic illness that can be managed and that you can live a long, happy and productive life."

The Mpopoma High School dance group was the first to take to the podium with their captivating choral music and dance style, which reminded delegates at the launch that there is a need to take children's issues seriously in the face of the devastating effects of HIV and AIDS.

They sang and danced about the need for hope, for love, for support and caring of people living with HIV and Aids.
Celebrated Zimbabwe poet and musician, Albert Nyathi in his poem titled: "De-Stigmatize Stigma" challenged Zimbabweans to unite and fight against discrimination and stigma which was still 'Showing its ugly fangs.'

"Stigma is cancerous, Stigma is racism, Stigma is apartheid showing  its ugly fangs.
"People living with HIV and Aids are still people, Look, if I'm HIV positive I need to appreciated for what I am. Do not make me irrelevant, useless, finished, worthless. Do not make feel I am in the departure lounge," roared Nyathi donning his traditional Ndebele warrior gab.

Nyathi said artists in the creative industry should be helped to keep abreast with new developments in the dissemination of information in the fight against the disease.

"Some of our works were blaming people, they were scary. Lets change direction, it is not time to cry, we have cried enough. As artists we need help to keep up with new trends in the fight against stigma," he said.

Said Mtukudzi: "Whatever stigma is there, it is just lack of love. If there is love, there is no room for stigma." He added that people had to take advice seriously and learn to play it safe.

"Chaunonzi rega ndechiri mumaoko, chawakapfumbata. Chavamuropa ndechekufa nacho," (You can only leave or discard something you are holding but not something that has entered into your blood. You die with it.) he said singing his 'Todini?' song.

"We don't look at a problem and call it a problem. We look at a problem and call it a mystery. If it's a problem its not mine, its someone else's problem. If we take a problem as a mystery we are bound to create a mystery around it," said the veteran man of song.

The launch reached its climax when three people living with the HIV and Aids pandemic gave their testimonies.
Pastor Maxwell Kapachawo, Mrs Joana Kasirori a high school teacher and college lecturer Mr Davies Mazodze all spoke strongly about the need for Zimbabweans to break down the silence and prejudice surrounding this disease.

Their messages centred on the fact that Aids affects everyone –rich or poor, young or old, that the majority of the victims are adults in the prime of their working and parenting lives and that with counselling and support, with access to ARVs –people living with disease can lead productive lives.

"When communities see their leaders talking about HIV and Aids openly, it will liberate them (from stigma and discrimination)," said Pastor Kapachawo who is HIV positive and knew about his status in 2004.

He said he got much inspiration from a Ugandan cleric Canon Gideon Bymugisha, the first priest to be open about his HIV status in Africa.

"I was challenged and encouraged so much by his words. How one is managing with the virus promotes life and dialogue," he said.

"Human life is the greatest asset which God has. For God there is nothing surprising about HIV. We pastors must transform it into things like compassion, non-discrimination and non-judgementalism in order to alleviate our suffering.

"There is no reason for people to die of Aids. With information and access to ARVs death is postponeable," said Pastor Kapachawo who regularly features in an advert testifying about his life.

Said Mrs Kasirori: "I am living proof that there is life after testing HIV positive. I'm not going to quit teaching because I want to help teachers and students who are HIV positive."

"Its lack of knowledge that is drawing people back," she said. "Those who are trying to help the nation, we call them names. There is life after testing positive. I want the youths to learn from me, school children and fellow teachers to emulate the stance I've taken."

She said her mission was to: "fight the stigma that gives rise to the disease so that it can be fought like any other without blaming others.

Said Mazodze: "I believe as a person living with Aids I should give light to all people. I hope my story will make the community and society at large to demonstrate love, care, forgiveness and acceptance for people living with HIV and Aids."

"Myths and misconception about Aids should be dispelled. Being HIV positive is not the end of life but the beginning of a new caring life. I can still live a satisfying and fulfilling life."

The three heroes, as Tuku said about them, urged Zimbabweans to go for voluntary counselling tests and not to be afraid to access ARVs and counselling.

They hoped that with better access to Arvs, safe practices, support and love, care and support initiatives, stigma and discrimination would be eradicated one day.

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