“If a person wants to be seen, he or she ought to stand up, and if a person wants to be heard, he or she ought to speak.”
These were introductory words by Zimbabwe Parliamentarians Against HIV and Aids (Zipah) Kwekwe Central MP Blessing Chebundo (MDC-T) last week, as he addressed a crowd attending the public medical male circumcision and HIV testing for Zimbabwe Parliamentarians in Harare.
More than 160 legislators stood up to lead by example in the fight against HIV and Aids by undergoing public counselling and testing, as well as male circumcision.
Different MPs also shared their experiences, including some legislators who recently made headlines in the media for controversial statements on sex issues – the likes of Chikomo senator, Morgan Femai, as well as Matobo senator, Sithembile Mlotshwa.
Femai became a controversial figure after allegedly urging women to look shabby, maintain bald heads and desist from bathing too much as a way of curbing HIV and Aids. This time had very wise words to say to Zimbabweans: “As a member of Zipah, I went for counselling and will go for testing and whatever results will come out — whether good or bad — I will accept.
“I suffer from high blood pressure, but I am surviving and I feel it is the same with HIV. Even if one were to be found positive, they can still survive,” said Femai.
He said it was imperative for people to get tested so that when they knew their status they would not spread the disease if found positive. They would continue living responsible lives if found HIV-negative.
Mlotshwa, who said she had tested HIV-negative, said disclosure was important. She came into the media spotlight when she attacked the condom advert which said a condom can stretch up to one metre long and take in one litre of water, saying it had made women in her constituency to be inquisitive and some of them had become reckless trying to find out if there were men who were so well endowed to fit into such condoms. Mlotshwa also allegedly suggested men should be starved of sex and only treated to it once a month in order to curb the spread of HIV.
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But this time, Mlotshwa said the following about HIV counselling, testing and disclosure of results:
“By disclosing our statuses as legislators, we are simply saying to people in the rural areas and workplaces that they should not be afraid to disclose and whoever wants to announce their results should be free to do so. I have gone for HIV testing several times and have been testing negative since 2004. I am participating because of my constituency Matobo and I want to encourage people there to fight the spread of HIV and Aids. It is not the end of life to be HIV-positive.”
Although now a grandmother, Kadoma Central MP Editor Matamisa said she decided to go for HIV counselling and testing to give an example to her younger constituents and grandchildren that it was the correct way to go.
“Unfortunately, some people feel that those MPs who disclose their statuses are only those found HIV-negative.
“Some legislators might find it hard to disclose their status, especially if they are found to be HIV positive because they think people might not vote for them. As leaders, we should not be afraid to disclose because being positive does not mean the end of life, but that one has to start on a new leaf and maximise on that,” Matamisa said.
The legislator for Hurungwe East, Sarah Mahoka, said she was a muslim, was married a virgin and would remain faithful to her husband so that they do not contract the HIV virus.
“I have been faithful to my husband who is the man who broke my virginity when we got married under Moslem traditions. He was also circumcised a long time ago because it is part of our religious beliefs and he is the only man I see as handsome in the world,” Mohoka said.
Hwata senator Rorana Muchihwa had taken her husband to join her for HIV counselling and testing and she had also managed to convince him to go for male circumcision.
“At first I was afraid because my husband is a truck driver, but our results were both good and I am happy that he has been faithful to me,” she said.
Her husband confirmed and said he would take it a step further and go for male circumcision. Emganwini senator Siphiwe Ncube said many people were sick, but were afraid to come out in the open about their illnesses.
“It is important to lead by example as leaders. Even if one were HIV-positive or negative, the most important thing is to get tested and know your results.
“It encourages one to remain negative. If they tested positive, or get treatment, they would know how to live positively. As for me, I am happy I tested HIV-negative,” said Ncube.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Welfare David Parirenyatwa warned that although male circumcision could reduce chances of contracting HIV and Aids by 60%, it should not give leeway for men to go around misbehaving, thinking they had ultimate protection.
“Male circumcision is not a total package. It does not mean you should go around like a torch. We want behavioural change. The age of sexual debut is 17 years old, but we want our youths to start having intercourse after marriage,” he said.
According to Aids and TB director in the Health ministry, Owen Mugurungi, Zimbabwe targets to get 1,2 million males between the ages of 13 and 29 circumcised by 2015 and $100 million will be needed for the exercise.
