Oral Testimonies Raise HIV Consciousness
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Book Review by James Hall*
SafAIDS Newsflash
In Swaziland, a new project by UNICEF is raising consciousness, empa-
thy and understanding about HIV. The book is a collection of testimo-
nies by people living with HIV that aims to reduce superstition and
stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Swaziland's representative for UNI-
CEF, Alan Brody, initiated the work as a systematic attempt to docu-
ment the lives of people living with HIV.
"The intention is to bring the disease out of the darkness where it
is taboo to admit you are HIV positive," says Brody. "The aim is to
demystify HIV, and to make people live longer by having them follow
the examples of those in the book who seek counselling and follow a
proper medical regimen."
Even though 25% of the population in Swaziland is believed to be
positive, many people refuse to be tested, and dismiss their symp-
toms. In the words of a participant in the book project, Swazis are
wary of acknowledging their HIV positive status for fear of having a
"lonely funeral". Silence and superstition still surround HIV and
AIDS.
--
"Writing about AIDS, I had hid behind synonyms until I met other HIV
positive people at workshops in Cape Town and Kenya. My declaration
created a stir, but that was six years ago. More people must come out
to show that HIV strikes anyone, that we are normal people, and the
only thing to be frightened of is to remain ignorant, because you
will not receive the medical care you need."
- Hanni Dlamini, Director of the Swaziland AIDS Support Organisation
(SASO)
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The first person interviewed for the project was Hanni Dlamini, the
director of the Swaziland AIDS Support Organisation (SASO). The AIDS
Information and Support Centre (TASC) and SASO are collaborating with
UNICEF on the project. Both organisations have their headquarters in
the central commercial hub of Manzini.
"I was the first Swazi to publicly admit that I was HIV positive,"
said Dlamini, who is married to AIDS activist Pholile Dlamini. In his
testimony for the book, Dlamini relates the stages of denial, anger
and acceptance toward his condition, and his growing awareness that
having HIV is not an immediate death sentence. The house he is build-
ing symbolises his story with HIV.
--
"I am a builder by trade. When I learned I was HIV positive 10 years
ago, I thought I would get AIDS and die tomorrow. My lifelong dream
was to build a two-story house. That idea seemed finished. Then, five
years ago, my wife said, 'You are living, you must build that house.'
We were staying in a two-room mud flat. I worked and now we have a
three-bedroom gable house. I have not contracted AIDS. I am still
here. Now, I am looking to add on, and maybe build my second story."
--
Others collaborating in the book project tell how they contemplated
suicide when they learned their HIV positive status. Years later,
they are still healthy and productive. They look back on all they
would have missed. "I would have missed my little girl growing into a
little lady," says Sipho, who harvests fruit at a citrus estate. "I
am also a soccer coach, and have enjoyed watched my players mature."
The people involved in the project want to emphasize to their fellow
Swazis that being tested improves the quality of their lives. "You
slow down, and do not strain yourself," says Sipho, who had to give
up soccer playing, but is happy with new coaching duties. "You eat
well, take care of yourself. You must not feel ashamed."
Another contributor, Veronica, is a businesswoman was sadly unsur-
prised when she became infected with HIV. She knew her husband had
several affairs. "My message to other women is to insist on safe sex,
and guard against the disease which you can contract from your hus-
band these days." Veronica has since assumed the funeral arrangements
for her husband's baby born to another woman. Both of whom he in-
fected. Later, "after burying the baby because my husband would not
admit that it was his child, I had to bury the mother, who also died
because her family would have nothing to do with her." However, for
Veronica, she maintains a positive outlook. "Life goes on when you
contract HIV. It is not the end of the world, like people think," she
says.
ADVICE
Zondwako was a strapping, tall headman of one of King Mswati's war-
rior regiments. Warriors still perform important cultural duties in
the kingdom. Zondwako's regiment was composed of young men in their
teens and twenties.
Before he died at age 35 a few months ago, Zondwako spoke with the
researchers at the book project to impress upon his regiment's age
group, the need for new attitudes toward sex and living.
His contribution to the project is important. Traditionalists are op-
posed to condoms, and question the existence of AIDS. Frequently,
they see it as a conspiracy to keep Swazi men from enjoying as many
women as they like. Zondwako poses a choice to the young warriors who
were under his command: "Given the realities of the AIDS era in which
we live, thoughtless, reflexive sexual encounters must be balanced
against a will to live long and well".
REVELATIONS
Sipho Mahlalela, a former soldier, lived a typical military man's
lifestyle of freewheeling sex, from which he contracted HIV. Dropping
out of the army, he told the book researchers that his return to the
rural farm on which he was raised was a revelation. He had forgotten
the pleasures of the agrarian life, and feels it is a blessing to
spend his new life with his family and relatives in the area.
A similar revelation occurred to a Portuguese businessman, who con-
tracted the disease. When illness forced him to curtail his business
dealings, he spent more time at home. "I have seen more of my chil-
dren these past months that I have seen of them for many years previ-
ous. We are enjoying each other. At this rate, I will have ten years
worth of their company in one year!" he says.
The book project is scheduled for publication in August. By giving a
human face to HIV positive people, and allowing readers to relate to
their stories, a curtain of silence will be lifted in a country where
silence has proven to be a deadly accomplice to HIV and AIDS.
* James Hall is a regular contributor to SAfAIDS Media Information
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Tel: +268-404-3725
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