ZAMCOM MISA PUBLICATION untouched - HIV/AIDS Twinning Center

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
MEDIA FATIGUE AND STIGMA IN BOTSWANA:
CHANGING HEARTS, MINDS AND BEHAVIOURS
Edited by Kate Wilson, Mwiika Malindima and Bruce Chooma
Layout: by Sharon Banda
With support from
Media Training
Media Production
imMEDIAte Results

Contents
Acknowledgments
3 Reflections of a clinical counsellor
by Thato Molefe
Preface 38
4
People Call for New Ideas
REPORT: Lessons from Botswana
by Tumelo Setshogo
by Leah Chimuzinga 39
7
Living beyond the scope
Botswana’s HIV/AIDS policy refocuses on
by Segametsi Kebonang
destigmatisation and positive living 42
by Godfrey Ganetsang
13 Traditional healers in Botswana spearhead fight against
stigma and discrimination
Hurdles of accessing ARVs at IDCC
by Kethamile Motlhagodi
by Chenjelani Baraedi 45
16
Journalist testimony
Dishing out unconditional care
by Kethamile Motlhagodi
by Kaombona Kanani 47
18
We are expert patients and we know what we are talking
Going to the Salon
about: People living with HIV/AIDS
by Andrew Maramwide
by Basadi Morokotso
20
48
Caning and the role of Kgosi in HIV and AIDS prevention
by Malebogo Golbogwe
22
Positive living
by Merabelo Gaolaohwe
24
We take precautions when having sex: truck drivers, sex
workers
by Tautona Chaba and Fiona Gulubane
25
The oldest profession and stigma
by Gontse Gareebine
27
Tebelopele defends incentives strategy
by Mogomotsi Loloi
29
Discordant couples: source of courage
by Arnold Letsholo
31
It all comes back to us
by Patrica Maganyu
33
Of the law, condoms and prisoners
by Chenjelani Baraedi
36
2
The scars of abuse: How domestic violence fuels HIV and
AIDS
by Godfrey Ganestsang
50
Aggressive condom advertising is ‘killing’ abstinence
concept
by Mpalie Bothoko
55
Sharing your HIV status: when is the right time
by Gowenius Toka
57
Longing for shelter and food
by Patricia Maganu
59
Kasane, Gaborone bear brunt of roadside sex
by Patricia Maganu
62
Woman opens her heart to dispossessed family
by Patricia Maganu
63
Eating healthy and living positive with HIV and AIDS
by Nicholas Mokwena
65
The Partners
67

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Acknowledgments
Putting together a publication like this is only possible with the efforts
of many people.
First, we would like thank BOTUSAthrough the US President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for their resolute commitment to
fight HIV and AIDS around the globe. By providing guidance and funding,
they have made a partnership like this one, which involves different
organizations from a number of countries, possible.
We would also like to thank the American International Health
Alliance HIV/AIDS Twinning Center for their support and expertise in
helping to build strong partnerships and sustainable capacity in order to fight
HIV and AIDS.
And finally, thank you to the journalists whose work has appeared in
the previous pages. Their willing participation in the training workshops and
their hard work out in the field has culminated in their writing and we are
optimistic they will continue to be committed to creating comprehensive HIV
and AIDS content and helping to change the way the public views the issue.
And a final word to the readers: we really do hope that this publication
and the experiences contained within it will help to challenge your own
understanding.
The partners remain determined to continue this work of training,
educating and inspiring journalists in the region to write stories about HIV
and AIDS objectively in a way that conveys real hope.
Mwiika Malindima
HIV and AIDS and Gender Media Specialist/PR
ZAMCOM
3

Preface
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
When it comes fighting HIV/AIDS, knowledge is a powerful weapon and the mass media an
invaluable source of potentially life-saving information.
Unfortunately, people in Botswanaand throughout Africa and many other regions
spanning the globeall too often receive inaccurate information about HIV through news
articles and radio or television broadcasts because reporters lack basic knowledge about
the virus and have limited access to reputable sources and evidence-based resources.
Inaccurate or incomplete information about AIDS fosters stigma and discrimination
against PLWH and does little to stem the spread of HIV or inform people about prevention,
treatment, and support options.
Through a partnership managed by the American International Health Alliance's
HIV/AIDS Twinning Center, experts at the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in
Gaborone and the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication Educational Trust (ZAMCOM)
in Lusaka are working together to improve the quality, quantity, and scope of HIV/AIDS
reporting in Botswana.
With the overall objective of increasing public awareness of HIV/AIDS and its
impact on all sectors of society, this partnership linking two African media organizations
provides skills-based journalism training for reporters and editors, as well as timely,
accurate, issue-based information on HIV/AIDS.
Based on a needs assessment and situational analysis of HIV/AIDS reporting in
Botswana conducted at the onset of their collaboration, the partners conducted training for
journalists on “Media Fatigue and Stigma in Botswana: Changing Hearts, Minds, and
Behaviors.”
This publication marks the culmination of the first year of collaboration between
MISA and ZAMCOM. The collection of articles within these pages were written and
broadcast by Botswana journalists who participated in the training workshops and
mentoring provided by ZAMCOM through the twinning partnership. These articles
demonstrate not only the talent of the media professionals who produced them, but also their
strong commitment to providing the public with comprehensive, compelling reports on
HIV/AIDS.
We hope this publication will stimulate the sharing of best practices and ideas for
improving the quality of HIV/AIDS reporting and foster collaboration among journalists in
Africa and around the globe. In the battle against AIDS, there are still many more hearts,
minds, and behaviors to be changed and journalists can play a leading role in spearheading
efforts to do just that.
Amanda Gibbons
Director
Twinning Center
America International Health Alliance
Washington D.C.
4

The core business of Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) is media advocacy as it relates
to monitoring press freedom and its violations.
Among MISA's programmes, the organization intends to provide media with
support in areas that are not necessarily parts of its core programmes, but that do heavily
affect the latter's success. MISA Botswana has made a deliberate decision to recognize HIV
and AIDS as an area that requires serious attention from the media.
This acknowledgement made it easier for MISA Botswana to accept a twinning
relationship with the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication Educational Trust
(ZAMCOM) as proposed by our sponsors.
ZAMCOM, with its expertise in providing in-service training and technical assistance to
journalists and communication sector professionals, is striving to become a centre of excellence
in HIV and AIDS media communication in the Southern Africa region. The opportunity to work
with MISA and journalists from Botswana to strengthen HIV and AIDS reporting is moving us
closer to realizing that goal.
The partnership started humbly with trips between the two countries and now we have this book
to launch.
It serves as a tribute to Botswana media houses that were able to release their staff, even when it
was difficult to do so. As the next pages shall reveal, the effort was well worth it.
It is also worth mentioning that prior to everything, MISA Botswana and ZAMCOM conducted
a situational analysis and need assessment to gauge the extent of the problem. The results were
that the media still find the HIV and AIDS story a secondary one, which is often relegated to the
middle pages.
Our interaction with non-governmental organizations dealing with HIV and AIDS also
highlighted the need for the media and NGOs to share their experiences and views on the matter.
NGOs have to strengthen their media outreach so that they can concentrate on competing with
other beats for editorial spaces. Officials in these NGOs feel the media does not give the story
the sensitivity it deserves and as a result often castigate the media for sensationalizing the story.
The media similarly accuses NGOs of trying to dominate ownership of the problem. Therefore,
this becomes a contested area, as both the media and the NGOs do not seem to understand what
the other wants. This lack of appreciation and brandishing of egos from either side diverts
attention from the real problem.
The training workshops that followed the initial assessment attempted to provide the media
practitioners with the necessary skills to make sure they end up with the complete story. The
rigorous training aimed to provide journalists with the tools and tactics to identify various news
sources and not rely on the 'not so convenient' officialdom.
MISA Botswana and ZAMCOM are pleased to see this part of the project come to a close with
this publication. The experience that has been gained so far will help us to achieve our next
objectives.
Daniel Nkalamo
Director
ZAMCOM
Thapelo Ndlovu
National Director
MISA Botswana
5

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Botswana journalists in discussion during training workshop.
6

Lessons from Botswana: The perspective of a
Zambian journalist
By Leah Chimuzinga
Leah Chimuzinga is a journalist working with Radio Christian
Voice in Lusaka, Zambia. In the twelve years she has worked with the
radio station, she has served as sub-editor, newscaster, producer and
presenter of live and pre-recorded programs.
Before this, she worked with the Zambia Information Services
and with the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.
She has been passionate about HIV and AIDS work, in terms of reporting and
producing programs and documentaries, for the past five years. She produces and presents a
one-hour program about HIV and AIDS called Living Hope, which airs at Radio Christian
Voice. She has also produced and presented a program on women and girl's issues called
Woman's Hour.
In addition to reporting on HIV and AIDS, she has attended training through the
University Hospital in Lusaka and with the Ministry of Health on topics related to HIV and
AIDS counselling. This training has given her a broad understanding of HIV and AIDS, as well
as access to a number of new story ideas.
For two weeks in July, 2008, she went to Gaborone, Botswana as part of a
Zamcom/MISA-Botswana media exchange. She was placed within a local radio station,
GabzFM, in order to understand the challenges faced by reporters and editors in reporting on
HIV and AIDS. These are her reflections and recommendations from this experience.
Day 1
I reported at to the station at 09:30hrs and was introduced to Mike Oliver who is the News Editor.
He asked me what my expectations were and I explained to him how that I was on an
exchange program and was during that period cover HIV and AIDS stories and work between
GabzFM and an NGO dealing with HIV and AIDS which I was yet to be introduced to by MISA
Botswana.
At that point, Tswelere, the assignment editor walked in and began to ask permission
from Mike (News Editor) if he could attend a ten day workshop on HIV and AIDS organized by
MISA Botswana and Zambia Institute of Mass Communications (ZAMCOM).
Mike did not sound too keen and asked Tswelere to give him the details and letter of
invitation.
They mumbled about being understaffed and that ten days of training was a bit too
much time.”
Tswelere looked at me and sighed .Then he said, "Lee, Mike would rather I attend a
workshop on corruption or something like that. But on HIV AIDS....he is not very keen.”
To me, this was an exciting beginning to my findings on the media and HIV and AIDS
reporting in Botswana.
When I asked Mike if what Tswe said was true, he said, “HIV and AIDS are just like flu. We
do not go out of our way to cover AIDS stories.”
He added that they did not want to give prominence to the positive side of HIV and AIDS
because people will be careless knowing there is treatment.
7

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
DAY 2
I went for my first interview on HIV and AIDS at Humana for People to People Botswana
(WHICH IS WHAT, DOES WHAT) , where I spoke to the director, Mr. Moses Juma Zulu,
concerning what positive issues were coming out of his project.
He said more and more people are responding to the call of going for VCT, thus pushing up
the number of people who had been tested and reducing stigma. (WHY THE CHANGE)
Mr. Zulu also said people in the areas they are working in are now looking at HIV and AIDS
as something that can be lived with.
I made appointments for Monday with BONASO Botswana Network of AIDS Service
Organizations; Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Program (BOCAP) and Botswana People
Living with HIV and AIDS (BONEPWA), although the response from the various NGOs I spoke to
was slow. Either the person I needed to talk to was unavailable or I needed to fax them and wait for a
response.
Mr. Zulu said because of trial groups in his organization people are looking at AIDS with a
human face, those who are HIV negative are supporting those living with HIV and AIDS.
DAY 3
The newsroom was slow, but I managed to get to the outskirts of Gaborone to interview a
young woman who has been living with HIV and AIDS since 1999. She talked about how she had
suffered and overcame stigma. She explained her decision to go public about her status and how it
helped her.
She narrated that in the process she has had three babies who are all HIV negative. Her
partner who is the father of her children is also HIV positive.
Mazunga, of Ghabane said she took precautions in order to HIV negative babies and says
she is living a positive and happy life.
She formed a support group called Ghabane in her area where she has encouraged other
people to live positively.
DAY 4
I arrived at radio station by 8:00 where I scheduled interviews with BONELA Legal Officer
Oliapo Ndadi at 11:00, which was pushed back to 15:30.
When I managed to speak with him, he talked about how discrimination and stigma in the
workplace is rampant. Mr Ndadi said the workplace policy in Botswana does not protect the
employee. He said those employees identified as living with HIV have been known to lose their jobs
or have their status revealed without their consent.
DAY 5
For a few days, I attended a two-week workshop on media fatigue and stigma in Botswana
surrounding HIV and AIDS held for local Bostwana journalists. The workshop was organized by
MISA Botswana and the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM).
The journalists were from various tabloid newspapers, radio and television stations, with
the facilitators coming from Zambia.
On the first day, the journalists complained about the challenges they face that are hindering
them from being effective in reporting on HIV and AIDS.
8

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Leah Chimuzinga, centre, talks with journalists from Botswana during training sessions
10

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Leah's Testimony
The ZAMCOM - MISA BOSTWANA exchange program I attended
st
th
from the 1 to the 14 of July 2008 was the first of its kind I have attended. I
want to thank ZAMCOM and MISA Botswana for the exposure they gave me
in the two weeks I was in Botswana.
The experience has helped in that my eyes have been opened yet again
in as far as news and documentary ideas are concerned. I can now come up
with positive new and fresh angles to report on HIV and AIDS.
I can talk to my editor and stress the importance of having at least one
HIV and AIDS story on the news bulletins without sounding monotonous.
I can use the challenges the Tswana journalists brought out and use
them as news ideas.
In short, there are fresh new angles everywhere you look, without
having to depend on workshops and seminars for a story.
I hope to one day specialise in HIV and AIDS reporting, especially
documentaries and series for both radio and television. With a lot of training
and exposure I believe I will get far.
Leah Chimuzinga
Radio Christian Voice
Lusaka, Zambia
12

WINNING ARTICLE
Botswana's HIV/AIDS policy refocuses on
destigmatisation and positive living
By Godfrey Ganetsang
The first case of the
epidemic was discovered in
Botswana around 1986. At that time
it was a mystery to many. It did not
affect them. Promiscuity and
multiple sex partners were the order
of the day in traditional Botswana
society, and government's efforts, if
a n y, w e r e l a c k l u s t e r a n d
unconvincing.
With a small population of around
1.8 million people Botswana was always in
danger of being wiped out by the epidemic.
By the time the effects of HIV/AIDS were
beginning to show it had spread throughout
most of the country and was threatening to
wipe out the scant population.
The glaring ravages of the
pandemic were there for all to see and
government stepped up to the plate to
sensitize the nation to exercise behavioral
change. HIV/AIDS was threatening to
annihilate the nation.
Suddenly government was
preaching abstinence, faithfulness and
condoms to a nation that was initially not
used to the ABC notion. A lot of denial,
perpetuated by the fact that HIV/AIDS is
commonly transmitted through sexual
intercourse and its association with
promiscuity and same sex encounters
presented an uphill battle for government in
its efforts to sensitize the public about the
dangers of HIV/AIDS.
Previous whispering campaigns
and half-hearted initiatives suddenly
became vocal clarion calls for behavioral
change. Denials and inaudible clumsy
responses to HIV/AIDS were replaced by
frenzied calls for all to stand up and
contribute meaningfully to save the nation
from destruction.
Government went all out with shock
treatment messages like “a killer disease” and
“AIDS kills” to prod the nation into reality in a
frenzied effort to save Botswana from the
ravages of HIV'AIDS. President Festus
Mogae stood up and told the nation that “ntwa
e bolotse”, the war has started. Nongovernment
organizations sprouted up
everywhere as international donors and
government poured millions into the fight
against HIV/AIDS.
National development projects were
deferred as a majority of national resources
were poured into fighting HIV/AIDS and the
nation reeled in shock as the pandemic
plundered the nation. A brain drain griped the
nation as young skilled personnel and
professionals perished before they could make
any meaningful contribution to the economy.
Families that were initially self sustainable
were suddenly tuned into paupers as
breadwinners perished. Death, gloom and
despair stared Botswana in the face. President
Mogae stood up and shined a ray of hope on
the darkness that was gripping the nation,
going on international excursions to court
international donors to open up their purses to
Botswana to help fight HIV/AIDS.
A few heroes stepped up to the plate
and gave a human face to the pandemic. David
Ngele, Heln Ditsebe-Mhone, Billy
Mosedame, Dipuo Bogatsu and many others
became the nation's sacrificial lambs, risking
international ridicule, stigma and
discrimination and coming out to give a human
face to the AIDS pandemic. The nation stared
in shock as they toured the length and breadth
of the country to tell Botswana that indeed
AIDS is very real. Cynthia Leshomo gained
international acclaim when she won the Miss
HIV Stigma Free as part of the concerted
efforts to rid the nation of the stigma that was
associated with the disease.
13

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
While others argue that government policy in sensitizing Botswana about the
disease somehow perpetuated stigma with the use of scare words and referral to the disease
as a scourge, and news stories that some activists had died of AIDS there are those who say
that the nation would never have woken up to the realities of HIV/AIDS if they had not been
given shock treatment to prepare them for the psychological pressures that would come with
living in a nation that as still in its infancy and had not really accepted the disease. Even up to
today, after so much public education, stigma remains the greatest threat in the HIV/AIDS
issue.
Others have also argued that government efforts have somehow backfired
in that their initial scare tactics and use of phrases like a killer disease and “ntwa e bolotse”
actually perpetuated stigma.
However Botswana Council of Non-Government Organizations' Executive
President Baboloki Tlale argues that the approach was appropriate at the time. He however
conceded that while it was not fair to encourage people to disclose their status without prper
psychological support, the strategy worked in that it create an in-your-face reality of
HIV/AIDS to many Botswana who had previously not known much bout the disease and
even doubted its existence.
“At the same time it is important to teach the public about the implication of one
going public and thereafter provide support counseling to enable them to live with the
pressures of stigma. We must also be able to provide continuous assurance and counseling to
these people because the truth is that they live under tremendous pressure every day,” he
said.
Tlale also says that the challenges that Botswana was faced with at the time
prompted those spearheading the HIV/AIDS campaign to employ scare tactics. However he
said that the focus has now shifted to teaching people to live positively with the disease and
sensitizing them on the dangers posed by stigma and discrimination.
“People have now accepted HIV/AIDS, but we still have to give them the message
because it is still as much a threat to our lives as it was in the past. We have also stopped
emphasizing the issue of death, but rather that of living positively and avoiding stigma as it
is in itself a threat,” he said.
At the same time some have argued that government was reckless in its initial
handling of the HIV/AIDS issue as money was recklessly poured into fly by night NGOs
and unplanned for projects. There were outcries about some shameless HIV/AIDS
Samaritans, some of them outside Botswana's borders who enriched themselves by
plundering wellmeant donor funds while thousands of innocent people succumbed to the
disease. Even the Global Fund at some point refused a P220 million funding application
from the National Aids Coordinating agaency because there were questions about the
capacity of NACA'S implementing partners who are some NGOs and community
organizations and on the coordinating agency's assessment capabilities.
While Tlale does not dispute that there was a lot of haste in the initial AIDS
campaigns and that some NGOs did not produce the expected results of the initial anti-
HIV'AIDS campaigns are there for all to see.
“We admit that it might have cost a lot of money and that some people were not very
honest as they misused AIDA funds. But the results are there for all to see and hat is what
14

makes us very happy,” he said.
And indeed Botswana has made great strides in educating the public about
HIV/AIDS and providing treatment to her citizens. With the assistance of the American
government through their BOTUSA projects and the U.S. President's Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief programs, organizations like ACHAP, the Harvard Institute and the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a lot of research was put into HIV/AIDS and state
of the art HIV reference laboratories were set up in Botswana. ARV therapy has been
unrolled to almost all parts of the country and voluntary counseling testing centres like
Tebelopele were set up to encourage people to test. Botswana was the first to provide
free ARV treatment to its citizens in 2002 and, 5 years into the program, 90 percent of
those estimated to need treatment re not receiving it.
“This increase is testimony not only to the magnitude of the HIV problem,
but also to government's response to meet the challenge,” said the Minister of Health
Professor Sheila Tlou, when officially opening a reference lab in Francistown last
year.
The minister also said that it was heartening to observe that the rate of HIV
prevalence among the 19 to 24 years age group had declined significantly and that
the MASA ARV program had made significant improvements in the lives of
Botswana. According to a joint report by UNDP and NACA on the economic impact
of HIV/AIDS in Botswana, in the absence of antiretroviral therapy , he impact of
HIV/AIDS on GDP would be comparable to the impact that would result from the
decline and closure of Botswana's mining sector over 15 years. But even with the
provision of ARVs, it is still expected that over the 20 year period between 2001 and
2021, the economy of the country will accumulate a 23 percent growth reduction
compared to a no AIDS scenario.
Prior to MASA ARV program, local hospitals were overwhelmed with
terminal AIDS patients while society reeled under the burden of continuous burials
and the care of orphans. To date, the program has enrolled over 90,500 patients, over
9000 of which are in Francistown. Tlou said that these patients require close
laboratory monitoring and their facilities had to undergo early maturation as
requirements for the new level of testing in Francistown could not e met without
significant infrastructural expansions.
As part of the PMTCT program the Early Infant Diagnosis, which tests
infants for HIV as early as six weeks after birth, has showed remarkable results.
Studies have revealed that 96 percent of infants born into the PMTCT program are
HIV negative, which has been a great inspiration, especially to the health workers
whose efforts are finally bearing fruit.
The government of Botswana has been hailed as an inspired and
commendable leader in the global war against AIDS and a model of commitment in
the prevention, care and treatment of the disease.
Government has also shown a great shift in policy and is now looking to
create a more subtle healing process that will destroy the stigma that is associated
with HIV/AIDS and also encourage positive living.
15

Huddles of accessing ARVs at IDCC
By Chenjelani Baraedi
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Despite numerous huddles encountered by people living with HIV and AIDS in
accessing ARVs, the Infectious Disease Control Clinic (IDCC) in Gaborone, at
Princes Marina Hospital has brought an element of certainty and hope for
prolonged life.
The Centre which is housed in a Caravan that deliberately sits on the
extreme corner of the hospital handle everything ranging from blood tests,
screening, counseling which is two parts and many others including dispensing
the ARV drugs.
Upon entering the reception one is greeted by hordes of patients in
varying health conditions all sitting in one queue on red chairs nicely arranged in
rows. One after the other patients will submit their dispersion cards to the
officer's just enter some data, in the computer, and then points to another queue
along the passage, where the patients then gets more help and joins yet another
queue.
“That is the order of the day here. Lot of queues and waiting, but finally
everyone gets assisted,” Neo Khumo a middle aged woman sitting in a queue
said: “Yes for new comers, the whole thing might be mistaken for some kind of
wicked to torture, but to regulars the waiting is nothing.”
The health looking woman explains that she feels, the waiting and queuing was a
source of good information for patients.
“There is lot talking and sharing of ideas here. Going through the entire
queues is actually a test of life. When you final leave the centre, you would be a
totally changed person ready to start a new lease of life,” she said with
confidence.
Joseph Nomo however reveals that he has been coming to the centre since
it was opened. The man counts himself lucky to have known about it.
“I could be dead by now. Although there is no cure for HIV and Aids
related illness, truly speaking medication offered here is a wonder drug. Just look
at me. I am back to life and if you could have seen me last year it would have
been difficult to believe your eyes,” Nomo revealed with a broad smile.
He also revealed that after he tested positive, ten years ago, but decided to
keep his status a secret until 2004.
“Yes it is not easy sometimes to be brave enough to go for a test and most of all
to start on the medication,” Nomo said but warned that wasting time nursing fear
could be hazardous.
16

As for Stella David who sat in the opposite queue, she has also
endured the queuing, but her case is different.
“I come here every three months, for blood test or when I come to
get my husband's medication. My CD4 count is 780. My husband whose
CD4 count was a mere 7 when he visited the centre, is now on drugs
including our eight year old last born son and are all covering. My son who
had dropped from school because of illness, is now back to class,” said the
health looking woman who had been living with the virus for than 10 years.
She points that for her it was difficult to hide her status because the
husband was sick before he got medication. “There was no room to keep
secrets. I had to tell relatives and friends about his problem including the
children. Yes some people would say odd things behind our backs, but we
had to ignore them,” She said: “Moreover I later realized that they did not
even know their HIV status.
She also explained that those who stigmatized died because they
shunned ARVs treatment.
The woman now aged 48, cautioned of the importance of knowing
ones status in order that people could get help and necessary counseling
while there is time.
Another woman who tested positive two years ago and decided to
hide her status thereafter said: “I owe my life to this center because when I
first came here, I was very weak and could hardly move my feet.” After
leaving solitude life for some time, things started happening.
Although there are a lot of hurdles for people who come to IDCC for
their medication, the staff there is always helpful and no one ever leaves
without being assisted.
The majority of the people would just walk in the center for help but
some few patients are wheeled in, on chairs or hospital beds mostly because
of responding late to calls to know their HIV status.
The story provides a snapshot of one health centre and the
experience of patients seeking ARV treatment.
By offering a positive picture of the centre and by talking to patients
waiting for treatment, the wwriter is able to reduce some of the stima
attached to having HIV and AIDS and show that getting ARV treatment is a
routine occurrence for many.
17

Dishing out unconditional care
By Kaombona Kanani
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
His most memorable and cherished moment was when he had to fetch water in a 20
litre container on his bicycle for one of his 'unofficial' patients.
Unofficial patient in hat he went out of his way to decide, without official consent,
to look after the woman. He felt that he needed support and care.
“It really fills my heart with pride, joy and happiness when I visit their home on my
way to Mmokolodi for a routine check on the patient I am taking care of in the village. The
woman's children admire and show appreciation for the day I fetched water for their
mother” revealed 48-year-old
Ishmael Nthore a member of Gabane
Home Based Care (GHBC) who has
been taking care of some people
living with HIV in his home village
of Gabane.
He does not remember well
when he joined GHBC, but uses the
year that former president Festus
Mogae took over presidency from
former President Quiet Masire to
recall as the year he started working
with the GHBC.
“It was out of sympathy for
people living with the virus that I felt
I should help build shelter for some
of them,” he narrated, of an event
leading to his joining of the GHBC.
His part was going to be helping in
building of houses for those
identified to be in great need of
shelter because of his professional
bricklaying skills. After building
some houses he felt the urge to give
moral support to those who are living
with HIV.
“I started here in my home village
about ten years ago and later
promoted to look after some patients
in Mmokolodi Village,” says the
man who has been nicknamed Home
Ishmael Nthore visits patients and delivers home
based care by riding his bicycle
18

ased care by relatives and friends in Gabane, for his relentless efforts in helping people
living with HIV. “The nickname does not bother me at all,” he declares.
The paltry P100 that he has been getting as an incentive for helping is nothing as
compared to the joy he gets from helping those who can't help themselves and can't get
help and care from their families because they have a sense of rejection toewards their
condition.
“At times I use my allowance to buy my patients little things that they may be in need
of,” Nthore claims, saying that is meant at times to cheer his patients up and has been a
therapy that has endeared him to some of his patients.
“To do away with the issue of stigma towards my patients I also never label them as
people lin\ving with the virus I just refer to them as my patients,” he claims.
Ten years along, he does not see himself quitting his volunteerism and does not see
anything that can stand in his way to give unconditional care to HIV/AIDS patients in
their home.
“My cattle and goats nearly destructed me, but I decided I would wake up early to do
whatever I have to do and then go about with my home based care work” Nthore
revealed adding that his consultation times are not much of a problem in that he goes to
see his patients twice in a week.
His typical work routine starts with him making sure that he has disposable gloves, his
white coat and all that he feels he night need.
“Then I take my bike and ride to Mmokolodi check on my patient and the one I helped
fetch water for who stays a few kilometres before Mmokolodi,” he says.
His managed to beat challenges such fatigue in all the years because of his undying love
and wish to care for those living with HIV/AIDS. His everyday encounter with his
patients offer no room for fatigue because of the passion for what he does.
Another challenge would be of course to take extra care when handling patients making
sure that he has gloves on and properly. At some point he confesses he gets a grip of little
fear that if he doesn't handle his patients properly he could contract the virus a concern
that is shared by family.
“That is just normal of every human being and I don't see it stopping me from caring for
the people that I look after and I assured my family not worry because I have been
trained on how to handle patients when they were initially worried about my job.”
This profile is a good positive story about one person’s efforts in
helping those with HIV and AIDS.
The story is simple enough, but the personal profile here comes
to life and really come to appreciate the work that this man does
19

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Going to the Salon
By Andrew Maramwidze
Men and women love looking handsome or beautiful respectively by having
their hair done at formal or informal hair salons. Ladies will go an extra mile to have
the best hairstyle set on their heads while most men prefer to stick to simple haircuts
and shaves.
A snap survey of both formal and non-formal hairdressing boutiques reflects
development of a negative trend towards hair salon usage in African societies. Hair
salons are challenged with dismissing HIV and AIDS stigma at their workplace.
Contrary the continent hopes to have HIV and AIDS stigma free generation
as envisaged by the YOU campaign it begins with you. However, drawbacks by
individuals stigmatizing beauty parlours citing the possibility of HIV transmission
through sharing hair clippers, combs, needles, razors and rollers are a concern to HIV
advocates.
Perpetrators are said to have resorted to buying their own hairdressing
equipment or shunning the informal barber shops normally located along the streets
or starched in some small bushes despite their negotiable pricing system. The
informal hair salons have been tagged as unsafe for not having sterilizing machines.
To get to the bottom of these myths and perspectives attached to HIV and
AIDS ans hair salons, Sunday Tribune reporter Andrew Maramwidze talked to
health practitioners, hair salon owners and HIV and AIDS advocates.
Hairdressers dismiss chances of contracting HIV from their salons, but admit
some individuals are brewing the stigma.
The customesrs are always alert when you clean machines, but because they
do not know how to use them, they come back to us,” said Thabiso Sekgopi, a barber
in Broadhurst industrial area where a chain of informal salons are located.
Speaking under his working shed, Sekgopi admits clients re shunning their
salons preferring formal salons as everyone is becoming conscious of the epidemic.
He however says they keep their machines clean by using spirit and paraffin to clean
machines and boiling of hair clipper blades in the morning before starting a day's
work.
At Rosa Mystica Hair Salon, management and staff refuted the myths
attached to hair salons on HIV and AIDS issues and invited this journalist to spend
some hours with them making observations.
We use some cutting equipment: razors, scissors and needles. One may say
they fear contracting the virus from those, but we are an organized salon, we know
how to use them,” said an official from the salon preferring to be identified as Rosa
Mystica.
Mystica dismissed fears of contracting any virus, saying their hygiene
measures are high, adding that customers are also entitled to do the checks on how
20

haridressers use salon equipment.
“For instance, one cannot use the same razor on different clients, our sterilizers
are always on and at least three different hair clippers to use,” she said.
“I have not heard of anything like HIV transmission in salons,” she added.
Gaborone-based Dr. Ava Avalos also said it was impossible to contract the virus
at hair salons.
“It is totally unlikely that anyone can get infected from hair salons. It's just almost
impossible,” Dr. Avalos said.
Oratile Moseki, a training and advocacy officer with the Botswana Network on
Ethics, Law and HIV/IDS (BONELA), warned against any action fuelling
stigmatization of hair salons.
“The risk is very low. We do not want to create the paranoia between client and
hairdressers. We need to educate our community to erase their irrational fears,”
said Moseki.
This story is imaginative in that it looks for discrimination and stigma
Surrounding HIV and AIDS in an uncommon location - the salon.
It is interesting to read a new angle on HIV and AIDS discrimination
while looking closely at what the attitudes are and how businesses need to
educate the public about the reality of life in the salon.
21

Caning and the role of Kgosi in HIV and AIDS prevention
By Malebogo Golbogwe
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Corporal punishment should be administered in a manner that it does not expose one
to dangers of contracting diseases, especially when the skin gets torn.
According to Gabane senior chief representative Seeletso Pule, one could be
sentenced to strokes as a way of punishment for a criminal activity and the action is
usually performed on one's buttocks.
A medical practitioner Dr. Paluku Mulyngote said in an interview that
whenever blood is involved, there are chances of contracting HIV. He said if one is
caned and the skin is torn, then the same stick is used on a different person, it exposes
them to danger.
Commenting on the issue, Pule said HIV and AIDS has never been taken into
much consideration when administering corporal punishment, but admitted that the
action could expose one to danger. He said when they do it their intention is not to
wound someone. He also said caning occurs once in a while.
“Personally, I do not support corporal punishment, but it has to be performed
since it is in our mandate,” he said, noting that it could be performed on bare or
covered buttocks depending on the nature of the crime.
On HIV and AIDS prevention, Pule said he teams up with his community on
these issues.
On whether they discuss HIV and AIDS issues during gatherings he said it is
not always the case since the most debate tends to be on the land issue.
He said he is an ex-officio member of the Village Development Committee
and Home Based Care. “As an individual there is nothing much I can do. Every
Tuesday, we meet at the main kgotla together with village headmen and other village
elders to discuss social issues concerning our village. In these forums we also
discuss HIV and AIDS issues,” Pule said.
He said though they are trying to sensitize this community on HIV and AIDS
prevention, there are some setbacks as it was difficult to change people's behaviour
on alcohol abuse.
“There are many alcohol outlets in Gabane as compared to food outlets. I
believe that alcohol abuse could lead to the spread of HIV. Again, the noise
emanating from these bars disturbs the health of those trying to heal at their homes.
They need peaceful rest,” said Pule.
He said the bars are not well monitored by the council authorities.
Most of these bars, he said, are operating under bad taste of condition. “Some
have no public toilets and revelers relieve themselves in the open and this is risky as
other could get into contact with the body secretions, therefore increasing chances of
22

spreading diseases,” he said.
A youth in the village who
admitted going to bars said he bars
expose them to contracting sexually
transmitted diseases, including AIDS
since sexual activities take place at
these places.
“When one is drunk, it is easy
to forget use of contraceptives and one
could engage in unprotected sex.”
This story is an example of finding a new angle for an HIV and AIDS
story. The corporal punishment angle paired with some candid sources
makes this an interesting story to read.
Larry Njungu, an expert trainer, givers instructions to journalists during workshop
23

Positive Living
By Merapelo Gaolaolwe
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
“Iam Onangomi Moalosi and have been living positively with HIV/AIDS for six
years. I am a representative to all those living with HIV/AIDS, a fighter and an activist.”
We always hear about HIV/AIDS everywhere in the media and in the
communities that we reside in. But when you get to meet a person who is infected and
living positively, you relies that HIV/AIDS is not just a killer disease as a lot of people
perceive it, but a disease like any other that you can live with for many years nd still be
like other people.
Having said that, all the stigma and discrimination of people who are infected
with the virus can be said to be old fashioned and must no longer be entertained as part of
our everyday living.
It is estimated that to date over 811,000 people have ever tested the year 2000.,
representing about 47 percent of the total population this year. This means that less than
half of Botswana knows their status.
When I entered the Botswana Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS
(BONEPWA) offices, I was received with warm welcomes and assisted immediately. I
came face-to-face with this brave, healthy looking man name Onangoni Maoalosi who
was eager to help me deliver this message of positive living to the public as a hole: “As
they always say, if you are not infected, you affected.”
“Having HIV/AIDS is not the end of the world, but rather the beginning of a
new, more responsible, challenging and fulfilled life journey,” said this outspoken man.
Moalosi tested positive in February 2002 in the Nyangabwe referral hospital. He
has been living with HIV/AIDS for six years and ever since, has never looked back. He
was very sick then with a very low CD4 count and enrolled for ARV therapy the same
year. The first person he shared the news with was his then-partner whom he had a child
with. She did not receive the news well and left him. But nonetheless, he has had
tremendous support from his family and friends as he did not take long to disclose his
HIV status.
Moalosi is now a happy father who is living positively and looking forward to
each and every day of his life. He does not even think negatively, that he will die
someday. Everything that comes his way is done with a positive thought in mind.
He perceives smoking and drinking as deadly weapons in the body.
“I have never drank beer or smoked in my life and I cannot take things that will
weaken my body and make my health deteriorate.”
He eats healthier food, inclusive of fruits and vegetables. He also does a lot of
exercising and says he is a sports man.
People like Moalosi are so important in our country s he is involved in home
based care centres in and around Gaborone. It is a job that he loves and does
passionately.
Hoping that he has encouraged and motivated other people living with HIV/AIDS not to
despair and those that do not know heir status at this point in time to test and get help as
they might be the Onangonis of tomorrow.
22

We take persuasion when having sex
Truck drivers, sex workers
By Tautona Chaba and Fiona Gulubane
Truck drivers and commercial sex workers say it is not necessarily
true that they fan the spread of HIV/AIDS for they take precautions when
they indulge in sexual activities.
James Makuthuya, a truck driver from TNT Logisitcs Johannesburg
to Botswana says it is true that they have sex with commercial sex workers
on their trips. This he says happens on consensual basis and necessary
precautions are taken into account.
“We always carry condoms because we have sex with a lot of people
so it is only natural in this HIV/AIDS era that everybody takes extra care if
ther are to have sex,” he noted.
Makuthuya as a family man says he is always on the road without his
wife and get very lonely.
“As a man who is always on the way I need a companion but my wife
cannot come with me so the only available companion is the one who has no
commitments and is willing to go as far as I want her to go provided she is
paid,” explained Makuthuya.
He says contrary to the general perception that every truck driver
sleeps with sex workers, some truck drivers are the best buyers in the
business.
“Truck drivers are always willing to buy for they are always away
from their families so we are here to take care of them,” she revealed.
She however claims that they too take condom use into considerations
before they indulge. She rubbished allegations that they charge an extra when
clients insist to do it with no protection. She says poverty has forced them to
resort to commercial sex. “We are only in this business because we are under
dire financial straits and we also know how HIV/AIDS has claimed a lot of
lives and why would we want to be statistics” She wondered. She says
poverty
She contented that some health practitioners are the leading obscure
for sex workers to use health facilities as they stigmatize them, calling those
names such as “sluts.” Asked whether they had asked hep from the
authorities she said: “Authorities are also health workers I don't see how they
could help so we have to have money to visit private doctors and the money
has to come from our work.”
25

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Yorokee Kapimbua, a research and advocacy officer at Botswana network on
ethics, law and HIV/AIDS revealed that the major pushing factor identified by most
sex workers interviewed was poverty both virtual and complete. “Another factor was
inadequate financial resources to meet basic needs such as paying rent, buying food
and clothes as reasons for engaging in sex work,” he asserted, citing unemployment
as the cause and result of the poverty situation people find themselves in. “It is a
cause because without a job, a person has no income and cannot pay for proper
housing food medical care and education themselves and heir children,” he
observed.
He revealed that a trend was highlighted within sex workers that of opting for
foreign customers because they have lots of money. He said from his observation sex
workers opt for foreigners compared to their counterparts in Botswana.
Kapimbua however raised concerns about health care workers' attitudes
towards sex workers which he says impedes access to HIV treatment and prevention.
These people are often left with no choice but to seek treatment from traditional
healers whose treatment can not be really scientifically proven.
“Assertions like “Baa bob a tsile, o bone gore ba bodile jang” (here they come again
do you see how rotten they are), this discordant relationship between health workers
impedes the creation ambient environment for the development of health seeking
behaviors from sex worker,” he charged.
He said the continued breach confidentiality also deters some sex workers to
access health care services on HIV prevention care and treatment.
Attempts to reach officials from the ministry of health hit a snag.
While a lot of attention has been given to the role of truck drivers
and commercial sex workers in spreading HIV and AIDS, this article
shows that members of both professions are aware of their behaviour.
Talking to truck drivers and commercial sex workers first and
gives them a chance to explain their actions.
The writers of this story add further context to their story through
talking with the member of BONELA for a balanced article.
26

The Oldest Profession and Stigma
By Gontse Gareebine
Clad in a red tight mini skirt, black flat shoes and a white top that reveals her
well-toned tummy, Sally Tee*, whose shoulder-length hair is as thick and dark as the
night that she has stood in one time too many, impatiently awaits her next customer
along the ever busy streets of Gabarone. Standing at a metre and a half to the
investigating observer, Sally has been a commercial sex worker from the age of 20. She
is now 22.
When I first approached her with two male colleagues, Sally made a run for it,
an action that she later old us about after paying her P50 for her time and undivided
attention. She bolted, as any other sex worker would, upon seeing what they suspect to
be the police, an action, she said, that they are pretty much used to.
Emphasizing her point her said, “Prostitution is illegal here so most of us
always come prepared by wearing flat shoes so that we outrun the police in order to
avoid spending the night behind bars for loitering and being disorderly, a charge which
she dresses with invisible inverted commas in the restless, but warm air.
Sally said that understandably, even though prostitution is considered illegal in
Botswana, it is the only way for her to make a living for herself and her starving family.
Supporting her point, Botswana Central Police Station Superintendent Andrew Bugalo
Montshiwa said that indeed prostitution is difficult an offence to deal with as Botswana
law does not say much bout it. “There is no direct legislation that deals with prostitution.
Instead, it is mostly seen as idling and being disorderly where the police would arrest
people because hey do not give reasonable excuses or reason why they are out roaming
he streets late in the night.”
Furthermore, Montshiwa said that prostitution exists and that there was no need
to beat around the bush as it will not get us anywhere as society. “Prostitution does exist
and has been for a long time now. As nature has it, sex is a very private matter, so we
wouldn't know exactly who was out on the job and who wasn't. My main worry though is
that I personally think that the action speeds up HIV and AIDS infection. How can one
take the risk of placing themselves in line to be infected with the virus or worse
Everyone is at risk.”
Sally seemed the least worried about HIV and AIDS, counting her blessings on
the use of herbs, garlic and dettol to regularly cleanse her blood and sexual reproductive
system. “As I stand here with you, I do not know my status, but I am just hoping that the
herbs will keep me going.”
In a busy day, Sally can see up to ten clients who pay P50 and P20 for long and
short sessions respectively. Swearing that she always insists on using condoms, Sally
says that there are no emotions or foreplay involved in prostitution.
“I just lie there and pretend I am enjoying it as much as my clients so that they
get off me quickly. I just shut all my emotions and the world out for as long as it takes.”
Sally feels she is discriminated and stigmatized, an action she wants to see come
to an end for the fact that a lot of people come for their services. Laughing lightly and
27

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
looking up in the not so starry sky, she revealed how she has sex with men of all sorts.
Married men, men who are respected in society, men who have girlfriends, as well as single
men or men who are simply looking for fun were mentioned by the 22 year old as her paying
clients.
“I am not a prostitute by choice, but out of reasons that forced me into this job. As a
Zimbabwean who has a traitor for a president, were there is 80 per sent or more
unemployment, here basically we are about to collapse, I couldn't just sit back and not do
anything as I have a daughter less than two years to look after. And mind you, I have realized
that most Batswana think only Zimbabweans are in on this.”
Pointing to a group of other young girls dressed to kill and not standing very far from
us, Sally explained that they are Batswana girls who stick to their own ground and not
socialize with them as they the their nerve and accuse them of stealing their customers.
Responding to Sally's anecdote, Gertrude Madzivere, who is a 40-year-old
Zimbabwean woman from Gweru residing in Botswana, cried out that despite poverty and
other hardships that life can throw at people, everyone should respect that we are all made in
the image of God. “The body is like the temple of God as we were built in the same form as
him. Every morning, we wash and clean our bodies. Why can't we show respect for our
bodies I advise those in prostitution to take a few steps back and find God. It is never too
late.”
Another one of Sally's fellow countrymen, Sam Sibanda, lamented that prostitution
is a waste of time as it wastes one away emotionally for nothing. “But I will stand firm and
dispute the stereotype that most of my Zimbabwean sisters are prostitutes as there are a lot of
locals who are prostitutes. I take my hat off for those doing it in openness as they are true to
themselves.”
Nkgowa Dick, a Motswana, said that humiliating commercial sex workers is quite
tricky s she feels it's 50/50. “It's bad and not bad at the same time. Some women find
themselves in the streets because they are poor, desperate and unemployed and have kids that
they have to raise as single parents. So they need to, one way or the other, make money for a
living.
On the other hand, it is bad because when men have problems, instead of sorting
them out amicably, they leave their spouses at home and run fast to purchase nights of
passion with prostitutes where hey risk getting infected with various sexually transmitted
diseases, especially where most prostitutes aren't even sure about their HIV status because of
having multiple sexual partners. Other negative issues surrounding prostitution such as
charging more money when some men specifically ask to have unprotected sex and so on
and so forth are just uncalled for and make me feel against it,” Dick said.
A female Motswana who preferred to remain anonymous wrapped it all up by
saying, “All women are prostitutes. I find ones on the streets the most honest compared to
those who are materialistic in what they call normal relationships. Let's legalize prostitution
and hopefully, places like brothels will reduce HIV and AIDS infections and the stigmas it
carries with it, where at least every prostitute will be sure of their HIV status and in return,
clients from our society will also feel protected.”
28

Tebelopele defends “incentives” strategy
By Mogomotsi Loloi
Tebelopele Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center (TVCTC) has defended
its campaign strategy of issuing handouts to villagers as a way of enticing them to test for
HIV/AIDS.
The centre's marketing manager Thandi Tumelo says the incentives are not
meant to bribe people to test, but are for encouragement.
Recently, Tebelopele extended its campaign to Ratholo Village in Tswapong
District where it distributed chocolates and red t-shirts for those who tested. In Palapye,
it organized an evening braai, also for those who tested.
“The motive behind this is to encourage those who have not tested to test,”
Tumelo says, and adds that promotion materials differ depending on the target group at a
particular time. She said the red t-shirts are for couples and the blue ribbons used in the
Zebras for Life campaign are for men. Tebelopele issued roses on Valentine's Day.
She says the institution has been carrying out this strategy for the past three
years and it worked very well. But she agreed that chocolates are prestigious things to
villagers and that they could lead to people testing when they are not ready for he results.
Tumelo emphasizes that Tebelopele has professional counselors who make sure
that clients get pre- and post-counseling. No person is tested before counselors are
convinced that the person is ready.
“Our counselors are experts in that field, and they could never test you when
you are not ready to take your results,” she says. Since Tebelopele was established, it
never had problems of people not getting proper counseling before and after testing for
HIV.
Tumelo says counselors always assess the situation of people who want to test
beforehand. She hinted at the existence of a slight problem with drunkards, saying such
people are not tested before establishing their state of mind.
With reference to children who might get excited over incentives, Tumelo says
Tebelopele does not test young people under the age of 21 without their parents or
guardians' consent. The children also get equal the counseling accorded to elders.
She quashes suggestions that Tebelopele takes advantage of the ignorance of
rural people. She says testing is not for statistical purposes as some people believe, but is
for helping reduce the spread of the HIV virus. After testing, people may change their
behaviour, regardless of the results.
Tebelopele has a risk reduction plan and gives support to those infected and
affected by the virus. “Seventy percent of our resources are dedicated to outreach
programmes. We want to reach every corner of Botswana and are happy to get the
support of Batswana,” says Tumelo.
Gabane resident Benjamin Modise is against incentives. He says the moment
rural people see chocolates they get excited and test while not ready to accept the
outcome.
29

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Malebogo Reikeletseng of Block 9 in Gaborone tends to echo Tumelo's sentiments.
“I do not think chocolates and t-shirts are meant to bribe people. This is only to encourage
those who have not tested to test and share their experiences thereafter,” she says.
The Ministry of Health public relations unit could not shed light on the issue as they
were said to be in a meeting. Even non-governmental organizations dealing with
HIV/AIDS-related issues were also not available to for comment.
This is an interesting story angle that looks at one organization’s
inventive strategy to get people tested for HIV and AIDS. The opinion of the
TVCTC spokesperson is balanced with the voice of residents who weigh in
on the issue of providing incentives.
Journalist Testimony
I enjoyed the discussion under the topic of stigma and media
fatigue, though I believe its hard to fight some of the issues surrounding
the subject.
For instance, a journalist cannot fight the stigma unless there are
prepared to test for HIV as individuals.
The reporting and investigation during the two weeks of attending
the course still reflected that journalist have an attitude of no strings
attached as they report on issues of HIV and AIDS.
Well, change starts with an individual and then spread to others.
Media practitioners cannot preach stigma when they are still
stigmatised themselves.
As for fatigue, sources and editors propel the situation.
Andrew Maramwidze
Business reporter
30

Discordant couples: source of courage
By Arnold Letsholo
Dineo Nkosi, 34 and her seeetheart, Joseph Nkemelang, 50, of Gabane met
during Independence Celebration at Morula Top Liquor Bar in 1983, immediately they
were madly in love.
They say they have been so ever since, despite various hardships that hit their
affair. There have been discrimination, since their relatives disapproved the
relationship. They often faced serious bankruptcy, and ultimately the existence of HIV
in Dineo's petite body; they overcame them all.
"I was really reluctant to test for HIV. Strange as it might sound, our cousin
who then lived in Francistown motivated me and my siblings to test by showing us her
positive results. You may doubt it but the following day all the three of us; our elder
sister, myself and my younger sister went for tests. When the results came out I was the
only one who tested positive…" Dineo frequently blinked, but licked her lips for
recollection.
"The whole of that day she did not respond to my calls. When I got to her home
and heard the cause I could not resist shedding tears. The more I looked at her as she
uncontrollably sobbed, the more it pitched my soul. I had months ago tested negative,
and was certain I was still so,” said Joseph, taking over the narration from his darling.
He put his hands on hers and tightly scratched its inside.
This they said, was in 1998. Ten years down the line the couples say they have
gone through them all (trials and tribulations) and only death will separate them. Dineo
says she used to believe that her man brought the virus.
She then found no proof as he was himself negative. They say during the first
month of their relationship they used condoms. Later on when they thought they knew
and understood each other better they quit the practice.
“The virus has taken several stages and this is my fifth year on ARVs. There are
times when symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases show in my body, especially
private parts. Sores just show. But they soon disappear. Medics say I should expect such
as it is the case with other people with my condition. I am quite thankful to have Joseph
as a partner because most men dumped their women immediately they tested positive.”
She said rather calmly.
Joseph says his woman is sometimes emotionally lowered by her relatives who when he
does not show up for appointments (When they have to go for entertainment) they tell
her he had gone for other women.
“Sometimes I think that she just becomes mad because of lack of self esteem.
She expects me to be over perfect for her comfort's sake. I try my level best. Where can I
go now that I am this old Fifty years is no joke. I will never find anyone who is not
nagging. I will give her all the support. I hope by next year I would have married her,” he
said.
Asked what his relatives' opinion are about this affair, especially as he is
negative while she is positive he responded.
31

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
“They do not know a thing. I can only divulge my wife's results to people who still
believe that people are bewitched when they die of AIDS related illnesses. Never! I cannot
spoil my love that way. It is our family affair. Perhaps if we could one day have children,
those are the people who can know about this situation.”
He said he accompanied her through all stages of treatment including counselling.
He is still negative though they sometimes do not condomise.
Things however became even worse when meals became scarce in their home. For
quite some time he survived through 'piece jobs.' This left her with no alternative but to enrol
for food baskets supplied by the government. He has recently succeeded in establishing a
small farm which supplements whatever he makes from his security guard job.
The counsellor whom this writer persuaded to give some information before he was
granted permission by the nurse in charge at Gabane Clinic and cases of couples with
discordant results used to be many in their clinic at the time when they were still working
with' Netefatso Study.'
Netefatso is one of those conducted by Harvard Institute and the Ministry of Health.
He said they are no longer a frequent as then. He can only recall three cases.
“Discordant results are one of the toughest cases to deal with. There is a couple
which intended getting married. The men fell ill often and he tested. The results were
positive. The woman never tested. When she is with relatives she says she is no longer
interested in marriage. When she is with the husband she pretends everything is fine. She has
postponed coming with her husband for counselling until he was accompanied by his sister
before enrolling for ARV,' He said, then continued:
“In another, the two discovered after marriage and the birth of the last child and the
wife was positive while the husband is negative. Initially the wife blamed the husband for
infection, but the tension subsided with time and they were frequently counselled. It is a
closely guarded secret and no relatives know about this situation,' He said.
He added that they had to keep counselling the couple to ensure they open up and tell
the children. Apparently, because the children are still minors, they are still left in the dark.
It is worth noting that discordant couples are a reality in our society, and they have to
be a through lesson. The couples discussed above should teach us as society that testing
positive should not be considered the end of the relationship.
This is a good example of a story that depicts a couple’s
experience living with HIV and AIDS.
The pairs share their experiences openly, while the writer
supports their personal story with an authoritative source is able to
give context to the issue of discordant couples.
32

IT all comes back to us
By Patricia Maganyu
Experts say that infants always cry for a reason, but sometimes they cry
out of frustration that they are not being heard or understood. After interviewing
several Zimbabwean women who come to Botswana to earn a living, I felt like I
had just invaded a baby's mind. I had to coerce them back into the issue at hand
several times. It seemed they had so many things they wanted to say and have
wanted to say, like a child who has been longing for his or her mother.
On this day, Zimbabwean nationals both male and female gather at their
usual place by street corner in White City, a location in Gaborone where they flag
down passing cars in the hope of getting some kind of odd job.
When I approach them, it is just another ordinary day in their lives, but
one thing becomes visible instantly, their faces fill with hope when approached,
like they are waiting for some information that will change their lives; for the
better.
Though I am not exactly a bearer of good news, I feel like I am bringing a
dish just as good. I have been scouting the area for two days looking for female
Zimbabwean nationals I can talk to about an issue that is rather important and
concerns all of us regardless of whether you are a Motswana or a Zimbabwean.
I immediately let them know that I am there to talk to them about HIV and
AIDS and they all nod.
I went there to get an interview from a few women, but I ended up in a
discussion like I was in a talk show studio with everyone willing to chip in.
After hearing rumours that a lot of Zimbabwean women who came to
Botswana were being raped and sexually abused, I was disturbed. I was even
more disturbed when I learnt that the majority of the cases went unreported.
But then I thought that for a country that was desperately trying to reduce
HIV infections, this could not be good.
Some of the stories I heard reveal that Batswana have misconceptions
that Zimbabweans will not have a relationship with a Motswana. The fact of the
matter is that they do and if rape occurs, chances are that both parties could get
infected and turn around and infect other people.
The stories and comments that I got from the group coordinated. One of
the ladies, Silindiwe Robert, aged 39, who was readily willing to talk, said that
she knew of some Zimbabwean women who were raped, but had never reported.
“I have friends who have been raped and taken advantage of just because
they are Zimbabweans,” she said.
33

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Roberts said that some of the women who had been victims thought it was
better to save themselves the ordeal by reporting and just move on with their lives.
“Those who have tried to report cases always come out with nothing because
the police do not listen to us. They will just tell you, you are a Zimbabwean and that
there is nothing that they can do,” she said. Se added that eventually they just forget it
and continue with their quest to earn money while in Botswana.
What I am wondering now is how new infections and re-infections are
supposed to be tracked if victims of rape and sexual abuse cannot report their cases.
One of the women, Precious Phiri, told a shocking story of how she almost
became a victim of rape while scouting the city looking for piece jobs.
“I knocked at the door and found a man whom I told I was looking for a piece
job. He said that he had some laundry, but I had to use the washing machine in the
house and then take the clothes out to dry,” she said.
She added that while she was still in the kitchen putting clothes in the
machine the man came.
“He held my waist and asked me if I was married or had a boyfriend and I said
no and he told me that in that case did I mind coming to the sitting room with him and
I went. When we got there he pulled me on the couch and started lifting my skirt,” she
added. Phiri said that to this day she is thankful to her quick thinking.
“After a few minutes I told him that it was better I finished loading the clothes
and I ran through the back door and out the gate,” she revealed.
Standing there I could not help but think these are real people, real women
with real stories, and that made me shudder. Even though most people were leaving
for piece jobs, others still stayed behind to chat. Whatever direction the argument
took, the bottom line was that they should report incidents to the police, whether they
have documents to be in Botswana or not. Two ladies who were said to have actually
been raped refused to relate their stories, but it did not take effort to see the pain in
their eyes.
“I have to focus and make money for family back in Zimbabwe. All I can
remember asking that man to, please. Use a condom and he refused and told me there
was no need. That is all I'll always remember,” said one of the two ladies. Both the
women say that they have spouses back home in Zimbabwe and both of them did not
report the cases to the police. One of the men, Justice Sibanda, added that all they
could do is support them.
“When we are here we are concerned about making money. Usually we hear
these stories after they have already happened and all we can do is get angry,” he said
gravely. He further said that they cannot report to the police.
“It is not about rape only, my sister, whether you are beaten or robbed the
police will not help us,” he added.
At the end of the 'talk show' most of the people said that they would try to
report even though they had doubt that they would be helped. It has also surfaced that
34

these women are not facing danger here in Botswana, but they were facing danger
even in their country when they crossed the border, especially those who did not
have the proper documents and were forced to border jump to go back home.
Senior counselor at Women Against Rape (WAR), Mpho Mahopolo said
that they knew about the situation, but these women were not coming forward
because they were afraid of being arrested. Mahopolo said that these unreported
rapes were dangerous as far as infection was concerned.
“These men take advantage of women because they have the wrong
mentality. All they think is that she is a Zimbabwean, so what is she going to do,
but they forget about diseases that they could contract from this person,” she said.
Mahopolo added that these rapists lacked education when it came to infections
and re-infections.
“They rape, they take advantage by pretending that they will offer these
women piece jobs only to turn around and abuse them sexually,” he said. She
further lamented that the main problem they were having was that victims of rape,
especially those from Zimbabwe were not coming forward.
“They just think of the procedure and think they will be arrested, but it is
better to be arrested and helped.”
She went on to say that the only people who are often forced to report are
those who sustain serious injuries and cannot avoid going to the hospital.
Mahopolo asserts that the consequences all come back to the nation.
“Men are raping women and these women do not report and these men and
women have other people they are living with,” she stated.
Mahopolo says that they see a very few Zimbabean women who seek help
with them.
Superintendent Andrew Montshiwa of Central Police station in Gaborone
said that he was not aware that the police do not take Zimbabweans seriously
when they report cases.
“If the people are doing that, it is the negative attitude of that individual.
Whether someone is an illegal immigrant or not they are still entitled to protection
when they are here,” he said. Montshiwa also added that Batswana had the
misconceptions of thinking that Zimbabweans will not have a relationship with a
Motswana.
“If a man rapes a woman and infection takes place, it goes around and
comes back to us whether one is a Motswana or a Zimbabwean is not a factor,” he
said. The police boss said that Zimbabwean women should be encouraged to
come forward to the police if they are raped or sexually abused.
Just as Montshiwa said, I believe these women whether illegal
immigrants or not, should be protected because at the end of the day they do not
suffer alone. We suffer, our families and our economy suffers.
35

Of the law, condoms and prisoners
By Chenjelani Baraedi
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Although sexual contact between people of the same sex is strictly
prohibited in Botswana, it is common knowledge that it does exist.
Such relationships exist and are said to be rife behind bars where inmates
hve no access to people of the opposite sex.
Quite aware of the wisespread sexual relationships of this nature in
prison, the government turned a blind eye to the facts and realities of life, and
sneaked behind curtains of the law and excluded condoms from the play it safe
kit of our local prisoners.
Since both the prison and police authorities confirm that some male
inmates engage in sexual relationships in jail, one would always wonder as to
whether our fellow incarcerated brothers who do not have access to condoms are
really protected from health ills including HIV and AIDS-related illnesses.
Stigma, social exclusion and the lack of adequate information, including
access to the right protection, has been found to be one of the main contributing
factor in the spread of HIV, but the government is probably scared to defy its
own laws, has turned a deaf ear ro the pleas of the public and left male prisoners
in the lurch.
Even though the department of prison and rehabilitation claims to have
adopted the same nationally identified strategies to address HIV and AIDS in
jail, condoms were excluded simply because sexual relationships were not
allowed amongst prison inmates. In their understanding, prison authorities
believe that availing condoms to inmates would appear like encouraging or in
another way influencing prisoners to engage in same sex relationships, conduct
which was also proscribed behind bars.
Senior Assistant Commissioner of Botswana Prison Services Anthony
Mokento points out that since sex between people of same sex and, in prison,
sexual relations are not allowed. Prisoners are also kept separately from those of
the opposite sex, hence it would not be possible for prisoners to engage in
heterosexual relationships, said the officer, adding that distributing condoms
would be like abating prisoners to engage in an illegal act.
According to the officer, denying inmates condoms was not sidelining
them since they receive a relatively similar education and preventative approach
to HIV and AIDS. “The strategies used in prisons re essentially the same as those
used nationally, but condoms are not allowed,” he said.
Despite rampant complaints of sexual attacks in the prisons, Mokento
explained that there was barely enough evidence to support the charges. “The
36

complaints are always reported for the prosecution, but there is barely sufficient
evidence to support the case in nearly all the cases reported.”
When asked to comment on the prevalence of HIV and AIDS behind bars,
the officer noted that it was difficult to shed any light since there was neither a
compulsory testing for inmates nor any study carried to determine the extent of
HIV and other related illness.
Meanwhile, Botswana Police public relations officer Christopher
Mbulawa admitted that police always receive a number of sexual attack cases
between prisoners. He said such complaints were classified under unnatural
offences and were rife in the local prison. Mbulawa, however, revealed that most
of the cases reported to the police proved to be very complicated to prosecute
because of the stigma leveled on relationships between people of the same sex.
He said police had reported cases of rape while others were those of men
who were reportedly found having consented sex with fellow male prisoners.
This is a good article that looks at HIV and AIDS in relation to another
stigmatised subject homosexuality. The responses of the source in this
article are candid.
The only other thing that would have been interesting to read about is
the thoughts of prisoners who have been affected by this policy.
A journalist makes a point as others listen while at training in Botswana.
37

Reflections of a clinical counsellor
By Thato Molefe
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
I had walked to Broadhurst clinic for an HIV test, and as I sat in the caravan set aside for HIV
testing, I wondered what future would be dealt by the test results for the baby who had been growing in
me for two months and I. An indifferent counsellor sat opposite me, asking in monotone; “Why are
you testing” She scribbled on a piece of paper, and without making eye contact shot the next
question. “Are you aware of the PMTCT program.”
Monei Motswetla who is an independent counsellor offered an explanation for the
counsellors apathy; “One of the challenges faced by counsellors is fatigue, caused by taking more
clients than they can cope with.” Monei who formerly was based at BOCAIP, a Christian organisation
against HIV and AIDS in Botswana, also says another reason for bland counselling sessions is that
counsellors are dealing with educational aspects of HIV and AIDS rather than identifying how their
clients feel.
“People come in for HIV tests with varied feelings, others feel shame, some are angry and
some could be frustrated; these emotions influence how they accept their status,” says Monei.
Clients should be allowed to work through their emotions, so do counsellors, who must have
daily debriefing sessions to prevent them from burnout. Pontsho Tidimalo, (not his real name) is a
former HIV and AIDS counsellor resigned from his post due to burnout.
“I quit in 2001, before the rollout of Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy,” he told me. “Back then,
there was no assurance of life with an HIV positive status. All you could do was reassure you client as
best as you could until their health started to fail,” Pontsho recalled.
“I felt as if I was party to the situation they found themselves in on their last days,” Pontsho
said looking away.
“The most difficult thing for me was providing services to economically disadvantaged
clients who could not to afford to buy the necessary dietary requirements to keep healthy,” says
Pontsho. He also says, one of the few tools a counsellor had to work with before ARVs was a firm
understanding of nutrition.
“Being a counsellor, I couldn't give financial assistance to clients so, providing nutritional
information but not the funds to purchase it felt sadistic,” said Pontsho who now only counsels
couples.
Pontsho started HIV and AIDS counselling after completing a course at Institute
Development Management (IDM) in 1999. “I was attached at a public clinic, and clients were referred
to me by nurses on observing symptoms.
“I would explain facts about HIV and AIDS, because you simply can't counsel without the
client knowing what exactly might happen to them” He says,
Pontsho says he saw an average of 20 people a day. A number clients who found themselves
HIV positive, coped differently. While some accepted their status some would actually turn violent,
directing so much aggression towards him.
“With the limited life assurance it was harder for people to accept their statuses. Some
committed suicide.” Pontsho said.
This short article finds fatigue in another sector related to HIV and AIDS.
The story provides an interesting perspective of a counsellor whose work took its
toll.
As the counsellor Pontsho Tidimalo left counselling in 2001, it would be
useful to see if counselling has changed since the rollout of ARV therapy.
38

People Call for New Ideas
By TUMELO SETSHOGO
Since first HIV case was reported in the early 80's there have been more
campaigns to sensitize the people about the negative impact brought by HIV.
Much has been done in holding workshops, seminars, panel discussions and
other forms where people could be gathered to be taught.
Reporting about HIV was done to educate the nation to find ways of
preventing more infections. Also many people came out to disclose their HIC
status as another way of saying to other: “HIV is real and kills, so take care of
yourselves.”
But today many people seem to be tired of either reading about HIV or
talking about it. This is because they claim that there is more information
available about HIV and its impacts on the society if maximum care is not
practiced.
There is also who are saying that less research is being done to report on
new information not known about the HIV and even the reporting is repetitive,
hence boring.
Some argued that what is left is for the people to change their behaviour
and admit that indeed HIV is living with us and there is no cure.
Four people interviewed to give their own understanding as to whether
people are tired of reading about HIV had different opinions.
Doreen Motshegwa who herself is Christian and married said she is tired
of reading about HIV because many people today know about it and they don't
want to change.
“I am personally tired of reading about HIV because there is so many
information available today,” said Motshegwa, adding, “people don't want to
change.”
She said government has played its part in educating people for free and
make also available free ARV for life prolonged. “It is now up to the people to
change the way they live up to stop HIV spread,” said Motshegwa who is also the
Ministry of minerals, Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR).
Connie Masilo who works as an administration officer at First Sun
Insurance Brokers said she doesn't have enough time to always read about HIV
because of her busy schedule, “but I do read about HIV news whenever I have
time.”
HIV news according to Masilo is not boring because it's all about
educating the nation in order for them to stop the spread. “I don't think HIV
information can make somebody tired looking at the importance of it,” she said.
39

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
She however admitted that people don't want to change their lives regarding
HIV.
Another interviewee Tichler Rankoa said HIV news does not attract readers
because there are no different angels to report from. “People read stories which have
interesting headlines,” said Rankoa, adding also stories written about celebrities
attract readers.
He said HIV news should attract readers in order for them to read about them.
“For example, if the headline could say Saleshando on HIV, I am telling you the
paper will finish within two minutes,” he advised.
According to Rankoa the reporting of HIV should be written in such a way
that will compete with other news such as corruption, politics and business, which
do sometimes hold heating headlines.
Information extracted from the Internet about people's interest in reading
about HIV also have different opinions.
AIDS activists in South Africa have called for the revision of “outdated”
HIV/AIDS messages which have been circulation for years, but have failed to
achieve behaviour change. People require more than awareness and basic education
they need advice on how to apply their knowledge of AIDS to their daily lives.
Sally Ward, a manager at Soul City, an HIV/AIDS learning material
producer, told IRIN that people were tired of hearing the “same old” AIDS messages
over and over again.
People do not want to hear any more that they need to use condoms, but
rather how to negotiate safer sex with their partners.
For maximum impact, HIV/AIDS messages need to be well-researched and
tested by a target audience before being publicised. The Soul City education team,
for example, goes through an in-depth evaluation process before launching new
training material.
Monhlanhla Xaba, operations manager of the Durban-based AIDS
Foundation South Africa, gave a further example of a widely used awareness
campaign that she said failed to make the grade.
“The slogan ABC [Abstain, Be faithful, use a Condom] is regrettably sill
prevalent, although we know that women, due to gender imbalances, cannot
implement these rules,” she noted.
“We don't have a reading culture in South Africa,” noted Xaba. “Especially
young people who need to be entertained while educated, for example, through
drama, and activity-based learning.”
She added that a large number of education programmes have failed to make
an impact because they were designed by people who had a great deal of medical
knowledge, but knew little about the cultural realities which would determine
whether people would be able to relate to the messages.
40

Training organisations agree that there is a huge gap between hearing a slogan
and behaviour change.
This article is a good survey of some people’s attitudes toward the
issue of fatigue surrounding HIV and AIDS stories in the media.
The comments of the authoritative source from South Africa are
helpful, but a Botswana source would have given more context to the
situation of fatigue in the country discussed in the rest of the article.
41

Living beyond the scope
By Segametsi Kebonang
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Kushata Mazondo (28) and Spencer Dzobo Mosojane (48) are a couple
residing in one of the North East District villages and are a living proof that there is
life beyond testing HIV positive.
Their two kids, f forever reminder to the couple that the Prevention of
Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS is the way to go.
They have lived together as a couple for about three years during which
Spencer at times became sickly.
“But the thought of going for an HIV test has always brought a quake in my
spine. I had convinced myself that I would never be able to live with the reality of
being HIV positive” the Mosojane born Spencer said.
He readily admits that he has been found lacking in as far as knowledge and
information about HIV is concerned and says that the little that he knows was
obtained from radio, and public speeches. “To me the disease has always been a
matter of the rich and educated people who reside in towns” he said.
“I had never seen anybody who was said to be infected by the virus, and just
took it for granted then that it is a disease that concern people living in towns.
Nevertheless the thought of going for an HIV test at times crossed my mind but I
never really took it serious and always pushed it to the back of my mind.
I was never able to satisfy myself on what I would do, and who I would
disclose my status to” he said. All these questions would flow in his mind and fester
uncertainty and hesitation as he delayed the intentions of going ahead to test.
“I did not know how I would exactly react to the knowledge of my status,
especially if I turned out to be positive” he said.
He said that Kushata with whom he had shared most of his life with was also
not aware of her status.
In April 2005 Kushata got pregnant with our first child, and the medical
personnel advised her to test if she wanted to save the life of her child, especially
since her health was also waning.
When she was three months pregnant Kushata had to start her Ante-Natal
visits and it was there that she got an in-depth knowledge of the reality of HIV-Aids
testing.
Initially she thought she was just going to be lectured on pregnancy and
HIV-Aids. But to her surprise she was told that she must test for HIV so that if
positive, she can enroll for (PMTCT) and save the child.
It was not an easy decision to make and she was immediately seized with
panic, apprehension and uncertainty.
42

“I felt like running out of the room. Suddenly I was seized by a spell of
dizziness and I did not know if it was the morning sickness that plagued my
mornings or just apprehension” she said.
After numerous counseling sessions with the health worker she finally
agreed to the test. The tests came out positive. But by that time she had been
reassured that being HIV positive is not the end of the world.
“Most importantly, the counselor lectured me on the Prevention of
Mother to Child Transmission treatment of which I correctly adhered to, to
ensure that my son was safe, with care on my side I could be able to lead a
perfectly normal life” she said.
It has been four years since Kushatha and her partner triumphed through
the uncertainties of HIV.
Today they are a living testimony of the fact that one can live positively
with HIV. Eventually her fiancée also succumbed to pressure and went for a test.
He is also very healthy and taking care of his family.
In an interview, Dr Boga Fidzani, A statistician at the Ministry of Health,
said it is very important for expectant mothers to enroll for the prevention of
mother to child transmission programme as statistics has proved that there has
been a drastic decline in children who are born with the virus by mothers who are
HIV positive since the inception of the PMTCT programme in health facilities.
He said, there was need for the government of Botswana to have
intervention measures as they observed that there was a high prevalence on
newly born infants who were HIV positive, therefore the introduction of the
PMTCT programme.
Dr Fidzani says, when the programme was incepted, there was only 30
percent average chance of an expectant mother who is HIV positive and not
enrolling for PMTCT to give birth to an HIV negative child and 70 percent
average chances of them to give birth to HIV positive children.
He said, it is however equally important that mothers who have tested
positive do enroll for the PMTCT programme in order to stay on the safe side and
know of zero chances of transmitting the virus to the unborn babies or infants.
He said, at the moment, statistics have shown that there has been a 26
percent drop down of transmission from mother to child, as statistics of test
results of mother to child transmission of the HIV virus indicate that less than 4
percent of babies born of HIV positive mothers were infected as compared to the
prior 30 percent.
He said, he believes that the 4 percent could stand at zero percent if
proper public education was done to these expectant mothers and if there were
those expectant mothers who did not live in denial of their HIV positive status.
“We have seen positive results in this programme, as we have saved well
over 48 000 infants who were born by HIV positive mothers and the children
43

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
born HIV negative”, Dr Fidzani confirmed.
He said, it is very important for couples to test together to know their status
before they contemplate having children.
He however said, he is not ignorant of the fact that HIV positive expectant
mothers face a risk of weakening their immune system therefore advises them to do
some regular medical check ups with their medical practitioners before conceiving.
“If you are HIV positive and have the intention of conceiving, medical
practitioners can even advise you as to when it would be the best time for conception
with basis on one's menstrual cycle”, he said.
He then advises couples that are HIV positive and intending to raise children
to opt for other alternatives like adoption instead of conceiving in order for them to
reduce risks of weakening their immune system.
The prevention of mother to child transmission programme was the first
programme to distribute antiretroviral drugs in 2002, with the drug Zudovudine
(AZT) being provided by the company Glaxo SmithKline.
Women, who have reached the advanced stages of HIV, require a
combination of antiretroviral drugs for their own health.
The expectant mother takes along side the AZT, a dose of Navirapine for at
least four weeks during pregnancy. The treatment is repeated for seven days after
birth.
This treatment, which must be taken everyday after 28 weeks of pregnancy,
is effective at preventing mother to- child transmission
After seven days from birth, the mother would go back to her routine medical
treatment of ARV's which she would take every day for the rest of her life.
Their babies would usually be given a course of treatment of a single dose of
nevirapine and AZT for the first few days or weeks of life to lower the risk even
further.
When early enrolment of women in PMTCT programmes was low,
government responded by training and recruiting counselors for the PMTCT
programme. Routine HIV testing followed later. This entailed a one year provision
of free infant formula to HIV positive mothers who choose to avoid breastfeeding.
Kushata and her partner stand as an embodiment of the fight by people
against the scourge that at some point threatened to wipe a whole generation. Now
the couple can look up with contentment and say thanks to PMTCT their two bubbles
of joy are free from the scourge.
This story, in portraying a family that has benefited from PMTCT, be come a
convincing argument for the programme. It illustrates the positive outcome of a story that
could have different ending.
The human story of Kushata and Spencer is strengthened with the facts supplied by
the Ministry of Health source, and gives the reader a greater understanding of how PMTCT
works,
44

Traditional healers in Botswana spearhead fight against
stigma and discrimination
By Kethamile Motlhagodi
Several knocks on the door, no answer. I push the door open, a wooden
chair crackles behind the old faded, battered, thin door that has no knob.
On a plastic stool by the door sits a screw driver that is supposed to open
the door from inside. I close the door behind me to enter the living room.
On the left corner stands a new polished wooden door wrapped up in
plastic waiting to replace the old one.
This is where *Maikano Maako lives, one of the traditional healers
involved in the fight against stigma and discrimination and also living positively.
Maako said to fight stigma, traditional healers should first accept that
they cannot heal HIV and AIDS.
She said many people living with HIV and AIDS are not killed by the
virus itself, but are killed by the stigma surrounding them and that is why
traditional healers should do everything in their power to fight and to win the
struggle against the stigma.
“When I told my husband my status, he deserted me and we are getting
divorced.”
Another traditional healer, Leungo Ngake, in the Selibe Phikwe area,
mentioned that some weeks ago she had a patient who had fainted at home and
the parents were not taking care of him.
Ngake said she suspected her patient could be HIV positive but, she didn't
want to tell him straight away and waited until the next morning to encourage him
to go get HIV test.
The patient feared that if taken to the hospital he would die, but he finally
agreed to go.
“Patients need to understand that we cure opportunistic infections, we
don't fight the virus itself like they do in hospitals.”
Ngake's turning point in fighting the stigma came when she realized that
living with HIV and AIDS is just like living with any other disease.
“My daughter is infected and on Antiretroviral drugs and there is no way I
can discriminate against people living with HIV and AIDS.”
She said there was a time when a patient stayed with her for a month and
her family would not eat any food that she offered them.
Ngake then explained to her children that they cannot get infected from
sharing food with someone with HIV and AIDS.
“The stigma and discrimination inflicted on people living with HIV and
45

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
AIDS is outrageous and inexcusable.”
According to Monthusi Sekonopo, a traditional healer and members of
National Aids Coordination Agency Executive Committee (NACA), when his
patients refuse to go for an HIV test due to fear of being labeled, he asks them how
they are going to hide symptoms like boils on the neck that may show when on is
HIV infected.
Sekonopo said he has managed to convince thousands of people to go to
Marina Referral Hospital by telling them straight away that “bolwetse jwa gag obo
mphetile.” (Your condition is beyond me).
“In a situation where a patient refuses to go test for HIV, I write a referral and
ask him/her to take the letter to Marina and before sending the patient off, I pretend to
sprinkle some muti on the envelope and tell the patient not to open the envelope.”
Sekonopo said people living with HIV and AIDS should know that the first
person they should trust before anybody else is God. And then they should follow all
instructions they are given at the hospital.
“In any health condition, if you don't follow the doctor's instructions you die,
not only when you have HIV and AIDS”.
The traditional healers' efforts are not going unnoticed.
Christopher Tshego, a person living positively and member of Kabelano
Lorato Support Group in Bobonong, said they do meet with traditional healers in and
around their area on a regular basis to discuss the way forward in fighting stigma and
discrimination.
To join in the fight against stigma, traditional healers realized they had to
rebuild their image since they have a history of saying HIV and AIDS is caused by
witchcraft, Segolame Semathu, president of Dingaka tsa Setso Association
explained.
He said now traditional healers have been educated on HIV and AIDS and
are equipped to help government fight stigma and discrimination.
Semathu said one of the greatest challenges they are faced with is lack of
resources.
According to him, the government is not doing enough to help them achieve
their objective of fighting stigma and discrimination.
He pointed out that if they had enough resources, they would go from house
to house and from village to village educating other traditional healers that “HIV
infection should no longer be a mark of shame.
However, that is not an excuse for them not to play their role and they are
going on educating as many traditional healers as they can reach.
He said they can relate better with them than someone from the Ministry of
Health.
Not real names
46

Journalist Testimony
I have learned a lot about the role of traditional healers in HIV
and AIDS in Botswana while doing fieldwork.
A few months ago, President Seretse Khama Ian Khama
announced that he would help maintain children born out of wedlock
as mothers are struggling to raise them alone.
One renowned traditional healer, who I interviewed while
working on my story, stated that he is the one who advised the
president to come with such an initiative, as he is not supposed to
encourage birth control since he is a chief by birth rite.
This showed me that traditional healers are still looked upon for
guidance in our society and there is no way they can be left out when
dealing with issues of stigma and discrimination.
The other thing that another traditional healer said is that
medical doctors should understand that this nation is theirs - the
traditional healers - to heal.
By Kethamile Motlhagodi
47

“We are expert patients and we know what we are talking
about-People living with HIV/AIDS
By Basadi Morokotso
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
One of the first Botswana men to go public about their HIV and AIDS status,
Executive Director at Botswana Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS
David Ngele has flatly dismissed reports that people of his like were opportunists as
they are labeled by some people within society.
Ngele who has since been living with HIV for more than 10 years feels that
confusing him with other people who come out as living examples about the realities
of HIV and AIDS with a sign of ungratefulness by the public. He said with
widespread preaching of positive living and accepting the existence of HIV and
AIDS related illnesses, it would not be a shock for a lot more people to go public
about their status..
Refuting allegations that people who had gone public were been lured by
pathetic donors and government into disclosing their status at a fee, he said going
public is an individual's choice adding that no one has ever been pushed into doing it.
The HIV and AIDS activists revealed that there are a variety of reasons why people
decide to go public about their status, the real essence been that people living with
HIV and AIDS feel relieved because it enables them to live positively with their
families, friends and colleagues at work.
Ngele admitted however that he also used to have the same perception as a
young man though he realized that he got it all wrong.
He was responding to a number of questions raised during the on-going
journalist workshop held under the theme: “Media fatigue and stigma in Botswana;
changing hearts, minds and behaviours,” at which a number of journalists demanded
to know the real reason why people chose to go public, whether they get any grants
for doing so and whether they get any form of training at the various non
governmental organizations they work for. Ngele raised disappointment and
wondered why they were not allowed to participate in the workshop so that they
could tell their side of the story and sensitize the public in a way that they will be easy
to understand.
His colleague support groups coordinator Zolani Kraai said it is true that they
have and continue to receive grants from donors and the government. He said donors
take it upon themselves to identify those who have survived the consequences such
as stigma that lead to denial and fear and are always at liberty to give such people
technical support as well as capacitating them in various aspects, be it clinical or
psychological because they have worked hard in inspiring and motivating the masses
who had lost hope in life. On the other hand donors such as Skills Share International
48

have in the past implemented support groups training sessions countrywide and
are looking forward to training PLWA in farming projects. Kraai said they had
networked at BONEPWA as people living with HIV/AIDS to encourage people
to come out and help those who are still in the dark so that they can get all the
assistance that can benefit them, adding that they have always tried their level
best to keep their mandate that aims at improving the wellbeing of people living
with HIV/AIDS in any form that they can afford.
He said it is not true that people working at these NGOs are not trained for
the positions that they currently occupy. Their donors, he said, engage and train
people where ever they lack skills so as to enable them carry out their day to day
tasks that include counseling. Some of them have even gone for induction
courses regardless of their level of academic qualifications. “I must admit that
that must be the case at district level where one can find illiterate people, these
people are our affiliate members and we always try and train them in basic skills
such as book keeping and accounts so as to upgrade and improve their level of
understanding,” he said.
Meanwhile Lekopanye Mombala, a Maun resident living with
HIV/AIDS lamented that it still worries her that of recent their have been talks
doing round about their going public , a good indication that people stigmatize
them and still ant appreciate the good work that they do.
She said if at all they were doing it so as to get the attention of the
government and donors she could have left her job at Tawana land board where
she is employed as a driver. Should that be the case she said she would have long
joined her colleagues at the many NGOs countrywide but because they are not
getting a thing, she chose to stay where she is today to continue being an
inspiration to people around her.
There area number of reasons why a person chooses to go public
about their HIV and AIDS status or not. There are also number of ways
others can interpret someone’s decision to reveal their status. This story
explores the complexity of the issue of going public, while also looking
at the role of NGOs in the process.
It is an interesting article that would be further strengthened from
attributing the sources of the accusation that people reveal their HIV and
AIDS status for profit.
49

The scars of abuse: How domestic violence fuels HIV-Aids
By Godfrey Ganetsang
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
She sits forlornly in her armchair and shivers uncontrollably as she tries to
absorb as much of the sunshine as possible, while drawing her skimpy shawl tightly
around her shoulders to protect herself against the light breeze that keeps on blowing
around the yard.
Her face portrays nothing but pain and sorrow and through out her story
there is not even a smile, but constant grimaces and incessant tears. She has
undergone numerous counseling sessions, but it seems it will take nothing less than a
miracle to revive her self esteem and restore radiance to the once pretty face, which
has now been distorted into a grotesque mask that portrays only melancholy and
sorrow.
“I have been very selfish in my life. I turned my back on my family, and now
I have to live with HIV-Aids and the guilt of having lost the only daughter that I had,”
she says.
This is the story of Magdalene Mabedi, a 40 year old woman who for the last
few years has been grappling with the pain of losing her daughter to abortion, the
ravages of living with HIV-Aids and the un-healing scars of marital, sexual and
emotional abuse.
It all started five years back when Magdalene, then unemployed, moved to
Francistown to seek employment in the mines. With hardly any formal education
except a long completed course in secretarial studies she set out for the city, where
she would reside with her younger sister until such a time that she could stand on her
feet.
Within a couple of months her brother in law had set her up with a job as a
secretary-cum-receptionist at one of the mining companies. Her job was very
challenging and rewarding, and she was able to send for her 16 year old daughter,
Jasmine, who had remained with her grandmother at their home village, Natale.
At the same time she started a clandestine romance with one of her white
bosses, Piet Marasmus. Very soon the relationship blossomed into a serious
courtship and Piet proposed to her.
“I was so smitten with him that within a few days of my daughter's arrival we
had already moved in with Piet. At the same time I failed to recognize the veiled
attempts at dissuasion from my bother in law and my sister” she says.
While the nuptial arrangements were underway Piet insisted that she resign
from her job because it would not bode well for his status as a senior officer at the
mine to have his wife working as one of the junior officers.
Her family never approved of the decision to resign from work and her
50

sister's veiled dissuasions became more vocal. “But I never paid attention to my
family's warnings to tread carefully” she says sadly.
She even fell out with her sister and accused her of being jealous. “My
daughter and Piet got along just fine and he was very loving and considerate
towards her. Even though he made me leave my job I was never without money
and my daughter attended the best schools” she says.
“Most women are prone to abuse because they do not have personal
sources of finance and are usually dependent on their abusers for their
livelihood” commented the Director of Kagisano Society Women's Shelter
Lorato Moalosi-Sakofiwa.
She continued to turn a deaf ear to warnings to tread with caution from her
brother in law, who had worked with Piet for some time in the mining industry.
She was aware of Piet's history as an abusive husband who was just coming out of
a very messy divorce, but she chose not to believe the stories because the Piet that
she knew was a loving and very caring husband. He had also warned her not to
listen to his “enemies” at work because they did not like him.
With only a few months into the marriage, subtle changes started
emerging in Piet's behavior. “From the onset he flatly refused an HIV test, but
continued to insist on unprotected sex,” she says.
Piet started coming home late and sometimes slept out. Meanwhile
Magdalene continued to make excuses for him because, as she says, she knew
how hard he was working just to provide for the family.
“Whenever an element of doubt crept into my mind I immediately
banished it away and admonished myself for being so selfish and inconsiderate
of such a loving and caring man,” she says.
The relationship continued to deteriorate and Piet started drinking,
partying and spending very little time at home. Then he started verbally abusing
her, and continued to insist on rough unprotected sex whenever he came home
drunk.
“My Piet had suddenly changed from the loving man to an inconsiderate
brute who had no qualms about sexually and verbally abusing me. He started
withholding money from the family and reminding us whenever he could that he
was the sole provider. Even when he was home, he never paid attention to me,”
she says.
“We must always be wary of abuse from the onset, and look out for small
signs that might seem insignificant. At the earliest signs of abuse, we must
always seek help” commented Moalosi-Sakofiwa.
Some of their friends noticed her weight loss and apparent discontent, but
she was always quick to assure them that everything was in order.
“I guess they already knew because stories of Piet's infidelity started
filtering through to me. While I believed the stories I was powerless to do
51

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
anything because of fear of his violent temper. At the same time he still insisted on
unprotected sex” she says. She also found out about Piet and his cronies at work's
affinity for commercial sex workers, and how they conspicuously cavorted with
young junior employees at work in exchange for promotions.
“When I confronted him he became very violent and hit me so hard that I
fainted. After that he became very apologetic and even cried. He promised me that it
will never happen again and then he took me to a nice resort where we had a very
romantic weekend, of course with unprotected sex,” she says.
Things degenerated from bad to worse and Jasmine's teachers confronted her
and told her that they suspected that Piet was sexually abusing his step daughter. “I
was livid and I refused to believe it. I even beat up my own daughter for lying about
my husband. I really am very sorry,” she cries apologetically as tears steam down her
face.
However as she reminisces on the events as they unfolded in her tragic
relationship she cannot help but notice the changes that her daughter was going
through.
“At some point my daughter became withdrawn and spent as little time at
home as possible. I attributed it to teenage-hood. We had endless fights and she was
always very rude to me and to Piet. But once again I took his side over my
daughter's” she says.
Jasmine started having trouble at school and eventually ran away from
home. While they were on numerous occasions able to find her and bring her back
home, she always found a way to run away again.
“On one fateful day, when she was gone for about a week, a policeman came
and told me that my daughter was dead. I had let her run away, and she came back as a
corpse” recalls Magdalene tearfully. Apparently Jasmine had died while trying to
commit a back street abortion. Whether it was Piet's child nobody will ever know.
By that time Magdalene's marriage was almost non existent. She was
continuously sickly and Piet was spending more and more time away from home.
Her sister intervened and suggested that she retreat to her home village where her
mother could take better care of her.
“Since that time I never saw my husband again. I hear he went back to his
home country, but I never bothered to look for him. Today I am an emotional wreck. I
have made peace with my sister, but I still blame myself for my daughter's death.
Because of Piet's infidelities and his insistence on unprotected sex, I am now HIV
positive. I am trying to rebuild my life, but recovery is always a problem because I
live with continuous guilt and stress” she says.
Many women all over the world are victims of marital rape and abuse. Still
many more have been afflicted with HIV not because of any wrong doing on their
part, but because they were never able to stand up to their promiscuous husbands
who insisted on unprotected sex.
52

Moalosi-Sakofiwa said during her presentation to members of the media
at an HIV-Aids and media fatigue workshop that cases of incest, marital rape and
abuse are continuously on the increase. She said that the Women's Shelter offers
refuge to abused women and children.
“Like Magdalene, victims of abuse usually have low self esteem and are
completely dependent on their abusers” she said.
At the same time women have over the years been trained and
encouraged to become more assertive and financially independent. Even on
issues of sex, women have been encouraged to become more independent and
exercise their right to initiate and control the sexual act. While the female
condom was introduced as a way of empowering women in the sexual act, it has
not enjoyed as much success as the male condom, and a lot remains to be done to
breed more acceptance of the female condom in society.
Early this year parliament passed the Domestic Violence Bill which was
sponsored by Minister of Youth Sports and Culture Gladys Kokorwe. The bill
seeks to combat issues like marital rape and abuse, and also protect victims of
abuse. Parliament agreed at the time that domestic violence can contribute to the
spread of HIV-Aids.
Members of the civil society, among them the Botswana Network on
Ethics Law and HIV-Aids, applauded the bill but also called for it to be refined to
meet the challenges posed by domestic violence and HIV-Aids.
This is a moving story about how gender based violence can leave
women unprotected against HIV and AIDS.
It adequately captures the depth and cruelty of gender based violence
while creating good linkages to issues of policy and legislation.
The author succeeded to get very authoritative and credible sources
53

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
A Botswana journalist takes a photograph during media training.
54

Aggressive condom advertising is 'killing' abstinence
concept
By Mpalie Bothoko
Even though Botswana recently got accolades for having been doing well
in fighting HIV/AIDS, there seem to be a dividing spiral between the churches
and other NGOs who are HIV activists.
“We are fighting a loosing battle in preaching abstinence because funded
NGOs are aggressively promoting condoms as the best methods in preventing
HIV and AIDS. Mind you a condom can burst!” said Pastor Owen Isaacs who
ministers End Times in Tlokweng.
Isaacs feels that funded condom activists are giving people 'destructive'
information of which the nation especially the youth tend to embrace thinking
they are doing the right thing. These activists are overpowering us because they
have sustaining funds to advertise around the country at the same time addressing
a large number of people. Their preaching is not reaching the desired number of
people during church services.
The main worry from the churches is that their initiative of educating
about abstinence and being faithful seems to be going down the drain because
there are not getting much support (funding) from the government or any
stakeholders to pass the message to the people.
It is also important to note that it has been many years African churches
resisting calls to promote condoms to fight AIDS, drawing fire from activists.
“Aggressive condom advertising is 'killing' our abstinence concept. The
bad thing about these NGOs is that they are able monopolize the market, for the
reason that they have all the necessary resources to go around the country
informing people about HIV and AIDS,” said Pastor Owen Isaacs.
Most of the condom advocates said the churches' reliance on encouraging
people to abstain from sex and be faithful to spouses had failed to stop the
epidemic's march in Africa.
“We are trying to promote the best method, which is condom use;
statistics will prove me right that that the HIV and AIDS epidemic decreasing
because of condom use. On the other hand we have to come to reality because
most of the youth are indulging in sexual acts. However any idea of positive
behavior change is welcome, we can benchmark other countries,” said Seabelo
Thekiso who is the UB PRO Peer Counselor.
However, Thekiso lamented that it is an unfortunate situation that they
have been dwelling much on condom use. He also feels that churches have done
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INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
well in the past and deserve to be funded.
“I remember three or for years back when there was the Adolescent Sexual
reproductive Health (ASRH) program which was the brainchild of African Youth
Alliance, it was doing well particularly when it was given to the churches and
because of lack of funding it collapsed,” Thekiso explained.
This story takes a look at some of the different players involved in
HIV and AIDS work. While fighting against the same opponent - HIV and
AIDS - churches and other NGOs have had different approaches, including
the promotion of condoms.
The story is short, but does capture the different sides of the issue.
56

Sharing your HIV status; when is the time right
By Gowenius Toka
Keba ,26 and Jake, 30 (not their real names) lived together in a town
house, and were involved in what had all the markings of a perfect and romantic
relationship, save for Jake's unexplained refusal to grant his girlfriend's proposal
that they have a baby.
In fact marriage seemed the only thing left to complete the duo's already
enviable professional lives. But the man's response was blunt: “We are not
ready,” and no more discussions were entertained on the subject.
Efforts by Keba to snoop around for even the faintest evidence of the
possible existence of a relationship that's probably distracting the man, instead
led to a neatly packed envelope stuck deep inside of the Chest of drawers,
containing the results of an HIV test, and a further newly conducted one
revealing that Jake's viral load had reached levels that now warranted
antiretroviral therapy.
“I am so disappointed in him. I'm unable to bring myself to understand
why on earth he did this to me. I can't forgive him for this, I trusted him with all
my life,” Keba stated, in a mood that gave away her emotional fatigue.
Although she pointed how decent her boy friend was, and that he had
always insisted they use condoms, this does not compensate for her shattered
dreams.
This is becoming a common scenario in most relationships. One incident
that comes to mind involved a couple who had a discordant status, the woman
being positive and the man negative. In this case the woman knew her status but
could not stomach the thought of loosing her husband in waiting.
However, shortly after the couple tied the knot, the secret got back at
them, and in the process reached the woman's in-laws. Tshelang's father could
not conceal the family's fury.
“Over my dead body, not as young as you are my son, I would rather we
help you secure a coffin of your desired size and some extra money for funeral
costs, whilst you sort your life,” Bodi's father in-law authoritatively instructed
Tshelang, their only son. There is general agreement that the trouble hinges on
the issue of the proper time to open up about one's HIV status. To this end, varied
positions are advanced.
Pastor John Phillip, a renowned authority on Marriage and Relationships
counseling, contended that, before couples make final commitment, each should
be given opportunity to say what they want and like to have in a relationship,
including the HIV status of the person they would be ready to live with.
57

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
In this way, according to Phillip, a situation where one finds themselves
revealing their status in the false hope that they would be accepted as a partner, whilst
they might not be ready to cope, would be easily avoided.
Monei Motswetla, an independent professional counselor, holds a different
view. She argues that modern day relationships are different. “People start dating,
chat over a cup of tea, go to the movies, and before they know it they have indulged in
sex. For this reason it would be folly to suggest room for the laying of condition.”
Motswetla, posited that, shared confidentiality is one important element that
must be emphasized, because once the concerned person knows that someone they
care about or love is aware of their status, it should help them to make informed
decisions regarding the relationship.
In addition, she stated, that it also means that if possible even before HIV
testing there must be someone to know that you are going for the test. “It is against
this background that we encourage couples to test together.”
Another intervention was made by Lerato Moalosi-Seakofhiwa, Director of
Kagisano Womens Shelter Group, “There is a wide spread misconception that
everyone wants to have sex, or they are going to have sex, and that as a general rule
all plans or strategies dealing with the risks and HIV and AIDS as sexually related
conditions, seem clouded by this misconception.”
Moalosi-Seakofhiwa maintains that a multi-sectoral approach to the problem
must be given a chance rather than dismissed as outdated.
Phillip on the hand asserted that his position that people must lay out their
envisioned future together applies across the religious and denominational
divide.Furthermore, consideration must also be made of the right of People Living
With HIV and AIDS to confidentiality.
The Counselors differences notwithstanding, they are agreed on one thing;
that there are emotions that come with sharing one's HIV status.
Motswetla intimated that emotions can hinder one from sharing their HIV status with
their partner, and for this reason affected people need to be helped to identify how
they feel, and to express the feelings positively.
The IAB, Pastor concurred, “Counseling has the effect of nourishing one's
natural tendency toward psychological maturation which according to Clinton Mc
Lemore exists in all of us.”
In conclusion, whilst there is consensus as to the need for sharing one's HIV
status with partners, it remains far from clear as to when exactly is the right time to do
that.
. This article delves into the complicated issue of when and how to disclose your positive
status.
The writer, through a variety of sources, is able to explore the different emotions and
58

Longing For Shelter And Food
By Patricia Maganu
It is hard not to get emotional once you come face to face with the
Pelontle family and listen to their sad tales.
Life has dealt them blow after blow but giving up is not in the cards, they
say. The Pelontle family consists of 13 people, two mothers and 11 children. The
mothers, who are sisters, say that they are the only adults left in the family.
Their situation is so extreme such that Monitor reporters had to meet with
them at someone else's yard because at the moment they are homeless. Agnes and
Galethuse Pelontle are struggling to raise 11 children between them without a
single thebe and no home. Agnes is the stronger of the two and the responsibility
lies solely on her, as her sister has been sick for several years now. Even though
they cannot be said to have been better off at some stage, Pelontle's situation
worsened when their two huts collapsed on them earlier this year. "We were
inside one of the huts with the children when the huts collapsed. Our property
was damaged and we had to move some of our stuff to the neighbours," she said.
A Good Samaritan, Sithembiso Seno, came to their rescue and offered
them accommodation for six months but that period is about to expire, thus
raising fresh worries. "We are not related to her but she was moved by
compassion and offered us accommodation. However, we still have to struggle to
feed the children and the sick people," she said.
As if that were not enough, Galethuse, who is ailing, has a bed-ridden
daughter. "The child has been sick for months and we cannot even get the
ambulance here to take her to the hospital," she said.
She went and fetched the child from the veranda and emerged with a frail
looking girl who could barely walk and looked much younger than her 13 years.
When she coughed one could tell that she had to gather all her strength. The sad
looking mother, who is also ailing, says that they have been practically begging
the clinic to bring the ambulance. "We tried. We used to carry her there hoping
that they would refer her to Nyangabgwe (Referral Hospital) but all they do is
send her back home. They have also lost her blood results. Now the ambulance
will not come at all," she said with tears in her eyes. Agnes says that she has to
struggle to find food, which is not an easy task with all those children to take care
of.
“I have to find piece jobs to feed the children and the sick people because
they cannot take their medications on empty stomachs," she says. She says it is
59

INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
never easy to find piece jobs and sometimes they have to depend on someone to give
them food.
When Monitor team got to the yard at around noon, the women and small
children were eating boiled corn from cups and they said that it was their first meal of
the day brought by one of their distant cousins. Agnes says that she does not know
what they are going to do after their six months expire.
"I guess we will have to find zinc sheets from people and make shelter. Right
now I am making mud bricks so I can build a hut but I don't know how I am going to
transport them to our yard," she said.
But all hope is not lost for the Pelontles because Shashe River School Geography
Club plans to build them a house. Monitor confirmed this with club chairman
Letlhogonolo Matenge, a Form Five student, who said that as the Geography Club,
they have taken it upon themselves to help the needy in the community. "We try to
help a needy family every year.
Last year we helped some one and this year students identified this family
and we decided to help them after hearing their touching story," he said. Matenge
says that even though they have to juggle the project with other school
responsibilities, they are well on their way with preparations. "We have already held
some fund-raising activities and we will build that house for the family," said the
strong-willed young man. He says that they have already gone to assess the situation
at the yard along with the teachers.
“They deserve to be helped. It's a sad situation and all those children need
help," he said. In the meantime, the Pelontles have "left their fate in the hands of
God," as Agnes puts it. They are still awaiting a response of the social worker to help
the home-based care patient.
This is a human story the trials suffered by one family and about the
real value of having a place to call home.
Good physical and compassionate despcriptions bring this family that
has been so seriously affected by HIV and AIDS to life.
60

Journalist Testimony
For me the workshop was not only good training as a journalist,
but it was also an eye opener to me as far as stigma is concerned. I
learned that sometimes you can stigmatize someone without knowing
that you are doing so, but when you do that and you are a reporter the
results can be deadly.
I have definitely gotten better in my reporting about HIV and
AIDS issues. I have grabbed the appropriate terminology to use when
writing the stories and you would not believe how much different it has
made.
My editor has not queried about one story since after the
workshop. I am also working on picking issues about HIV and tackling
them more often.
Patricia Maganu
Mmegi and the Monitor newspapers.
61

Kasane, Gaborone bear brunt of roadside sex
By PATRICIA MAGANU
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
A study has revealed that prostitution that takes place between truck drivers
and female residents could be a major cause for HIV infections in Kasane. Kasane is
one of the seven towns that were targeted in the study.
The study was conducted by the University of Botswana-TRS Ditumelo
Research Team and BOTUSA in order to find out how much faith-based
organisations (FBO) contributed to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The research revealed that in Kasane unprotected sex with truck drivers was
cited as a major contributor to the spread of HIV in Kasane.Principal investigator in
the research, Dr Lovemore Togarasei said that reasons given were that Kasane was
geographically adjacent to and surrounded by three borders, Namibia, Zimbabwe
and Zambia. "It is therefore a transit point for traffic to and from central and southern
Africa, making Kasane the epi-centre for commercial sexual activities between
residents and mobile truck drivers," he said. Participants in the research said that
truck drivers paid more money for unprotected sex than sex with a condom."Given
unemployment, poverty and the desire to make a living, women are left with little or
no options but to risk their lives and engage in unprotected sex," he said.
Togarasei said that they also found out that unemployment led women to a
life of prostitution."Some women resorted to commercial sex in order to support
their families. Intergenerational sex was also reported to be very common among
poor younger women who prefer sex with older men for material gain," he stated.
He added that given the age difference and the financial power of the older
men, the decision to have sex, and whether to use a condom or not is determined by
the man. Prostitution was also cited as a problem in Gaborone.
The other factor that topped the charts in all the areas that participated is
alcohol and substance abuse. All the participants complained about alcohol as a
major problem.
This is an interesting story to compare with the other stories that
examine prostitution, as well as sex between sex workers and truck drivers that
are included in this publication.
While other stories are based around the experiences of sex workers
and truck drivers, this brief story uses a study to talk about the same topic, but
for a different effect.
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Woman opens her heart to dispossessed family
By Patricia Maganu
When she opened her arms to a homeless family about six months ago
little did Sithembiso Seno know that she would have to also take on the emotional
baggage that they brought with them. Six months ago Seno acted out of good
faith and housed a family of 13 that had been rendered homeless by the rain
storms.
Besides that they are homeless, a few members in the family are living
with HIV and that alone brought many challenges. However, Seno said that when
she offered accommodation to the two sisters and their children she was prepared
to go all the way.
Life has dealt them blow after blow but giving up is not in the cards, they say. The
Mojakis family consists of 13 people, two mothers and 11 children. The mothers,
who are sisters, say that they are the only adults left in the family. Kagiso* and
Connie Mojaki* (not their real names) are struggling to raise 11 children between
them without a single thebe and no home. Seno says that she knew the situation
that they were in when she accommodated them.
"I just heard that their house had collapsed on them while they were
sleeping at night and decided that I should offer help because they were homeless
and the storm continued to destroy their belongings and the children had nowhere
to sleep," she said.
Seno said that the family was open to her about their situation of poverty
and having people living with the virus to care for. One of the sisters is living with
HIV while 13-year-old daughter died of AIDS related illnesses a few weeks after
Mmegi visited them.
When Mmegi visited the home the little girl who had not been to school
for several months had been home. When her mother went to fetch the child from
the veranda she emerged with a frail looking girl who could barely walk and
looked much younger than her 13 years.
When she coughed one could tell that she had to gather all her strength.
The sad looking mother, who is also not in the best health status, said that they
have been practically begging the clinic to bring the ambulance so they can take
their daughter to the hospital.
“We tried. We used to carry her there hoping that they would refer her to
Nyangabgwe (Referral Hospital) but all they did was send her back home. They
have also lost her blood results. Now the ambulance will not come at all," she said
with tears in her eyes. The child passed away three weeks after that.
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INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
Connie says that when the child passed away they thought that their landlord
would send them packing but instead she ended up helping.
"We held the memorial in her home until my niece was buried. She even
bought some of the food for people who had come to pay their respects," she said.
Connie says that life has thrown all kind of challenges in their faces but Seno is one of
the people who showed her that they were still good people out there.
Kagiso is the stronger of the two and the responsibility lies solely on her, as
her sister has been sick for several years now.
"I have to find piece jobs to feed the children and my weak sister because many times
she has to take medication in an empty stomach," she says. It is never easy to find
piece jobs and sometimes they have to depend on someone to give them food, she
told said.
Connie says that Seno has given her motivation to keep on living.
"I was about to give up, my sister was sick and I did not know what to do with
all the children. Right now I know that I have to take care of my sister so that she can
live because if she dies I will be left alone. She is the only family I have, "she said.
Connie says that she has begun making bricks for another house she will build in
their old yard.
"Seno has let me use her water and other things to make the bricks and I know
I will do it," she added.
But all hope is not lost for the Mojakis because Shashe River School Geography
Club plans to build them a house. Club chairman Letlhogonolo Matenge, a Form
Five student, who said that as the Geography Club, they have taken it upon
themselves to help the needy in the community.
"We try to help a needy family every year. Last year we helped some one and
this year students identified this family and we decided to help them after hearing
their touching story," he said.
Matenge says that even though they have to juggle the project with other
school responsibilities, they are well on their way with preparations.
"We have already held some fund-raising activities and we will build that
house for the family around September," said the strong-willed young man. He says
that they have already gone to assess the situation at the yard along with the teachers.
"They deserve to be helped. It's a sad situation and all those children need
help," he said. In the meantime, the Mojakis have "left their fate in the hands of God,"
as Connie puts it.
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People who can open their
arms and embrace those who have
met unfortunate times can never be
enough. This country needs more
selfless people like Seno and Shashe
River School students.
This is a ear warming story that illustrates the devastating effects of
HIV and AIDS can sometimes incur, while also displaying the kindness
and selfless behaviour of people and community.
Eating healthy and living positive with HIV and AIDS
By Nicholas Mokwena
Nutrition plays a major role in immunity and the ability of the immune system to
respond to infection. Eating good food or balanced diet is among the best things which
people living with HIV and AIDS should include in their everyday diary.
*Salome Seloka is a woman in her late 30s who is living with HIV and AIDS.
She has discovered about her condition after she felt very sick and was confined to a
wheelchair. Seloka tested positive when her cousin sister whom she is staying with took
her to a local clinic. In an interview at her house in Boadhurst suburb in Gabarone she
said she is happy with her current condition. She attributed this to proper intake of
medication and nutrition.
Ever since she felt sick she could not walk and relied mainly on a wheelchair to
move from one place to the other and with the help of her cousin *Bridget. Salome after
being rolled on antiretroviral therapy (ARV) her condition had been better. She says she
has been advised to eat a proper diet. Raw fruit and vegetables she says are the food that
tops her everyday meal.
Bridget is happy to be looking after her cousin. Her cousin's condition has
taught her a lot. Bridget has constructed a small garden for vegetables at the backyard.
She revealed that since she is also not working the garden is very much helpful for her
cousin's everyday meal.
“Vegetables and fruits these days are very expensive. The money we get from
the tenants can not cover everything that we need. I have been encouraged to have such a
garden because vegetables are very good to our immune system. We sometimes buy
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vegetables especially when the ones in the garden are not ready or spoiled,” she lamented.
Bridget says she sometimes attends lessons for people who look after those who
live with the AIDS condition adding, “We have learnt that body mounts a defence against
invaders by using different types of immune cells and chemical. This defence requires
energy, proteins, vitamin, minerals all of which are supplied by food. A lack of any of the
key nutrients can weaken the body's ability to fight infection.”
This according to Bridget helps her in her daily routine of looking after her cousin.
Good nutrition can keep one healthy and decreases chances of one getting other chronic
diseases. People living with HIV and AIDS who get nutrients they need, get sick less often,
are stronger and have improved quality of life. With good nutrition and medical care you an
not only live longer with HIV and AIDS but can also live better,” asserted Bridget.
Salome goes to the clinic several times for counseling. Apart from getting
assistance from the home based care in her area she also relies on her cousin sister. Salome
who has a 12-year-old daughter is also impressed by the support he gets from some of her
friends. She said though it is still evident that stigma exists in her area some people in her
neighbourhoods are supportive. She is however not ready to publicly disclose her status.
Salome believes stigma is a thing of the past. She maintained that disclosure takes
dedication and determination as it might affect one's health.
Broadhurst Clinic 2 (BH2) Home Based Care (HBC) member, Onkokame
Thomson who interacts too often with Salome believes many can learn from her (Salome)
long journey.
She acknowledges that Salome believed in herdelf and the HBC's help. Thompson
says they pay Salome visits three times a week. The purpose of the visits she said are to
monitor her treatment intake, nutrition and exercise. She stated that they encourage their
patience to avoid eating too much meat and other food stffs which can make them sick again.
Salome is one of the people lin\ving with HIV and AIDS the HBC is proud of.
Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Health (MOH) were futile as they did
not respond to the questionnaire forwarded to them.
According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), meat, poultry
(such as chicken or turkey) and fish can make a person living with HIV and AIDS sick if they
are raw, undercooked or spoiled. Raw fruits and vegetables are safe to eat if they are first
washed carefully. Eating raw vegetables like tomatoes can cause illness but washing them
well can reduce the risk of illness. CDC encourages people living with HIV and AIDS to
prepare food and drinks properly to protect themselves from many infections.
Food and water can carry germs which my cause serious infections in people living
with HIV and AIDS. Germs in food and water that can make a person living with HIV and
AIDS ill include salmonella, campylobacter, lister and cryptosporidium. These gems can
cause diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting stomach cramps, headache and blood stream
infection. CDC state that diarrhea and nausea are often much more worse and more difficult
to treat in people living with HIV and AIDS and they also hve a harder time recovering fully
from this illness.
*Not their real names.
INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
66

The Partners
About the HIV/AIDS Twinning Center
The HIV/AIDS Twinning Center supports the US President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through
partnerships, initiatives, and volunteer placements that help
build critical institutional and human resource capacity to
combat HIV/AIDS.
A project of the American International Health Alliance (AIHA), the
Twinning Center was established in late 2004 through a Cooperative
Agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Working closely with HRSA, host country officials and ministries of
health, and the US government teams in country, AIHA and the Twinning Center
help scale up and expand HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support services in
countries targeted for PEPFAR assistance by creating partnerships and other
initiatives that advance each nation's Strategic HIV/AIDS Plan and US Country
Operational Plan.
About the American International Health Alliance
Created in 1992 by a consortium of major healthcare provider
associations and professional medical education organizations, AIHA
establishes and manages twinning partnerships between healthrelated
institutions in the United States and their counterparts in
developing and transitioning nations overseas. Since its inception,
AIHA has supported more than 150 partnerships linking dedicated
volunteers in the United States with communities, institutions,
and individual colleagues overseas in a concerted effort to
improve health service delivery in countries with limited
resources.
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INSPIRING HIV AND AIDS REPORTING IN AFRICA
The Zambia Institute of Mass Communication
ZAMCOM is an independent media training trust that has a
regional training function. Based in Lusaka, ZAMCOM offers
In - Service training to journalists and non-media practioners in
the communication sector.
ZAMCOM seeks to be a centre of excellence in HIV and
AIDS and media communication in the Southern African
region. With support from the American International Health
Alliance ZAMCOM is offering expertise in HIV/AIDS training
for journalists in Botswana, among other capacity building
programmes and it is also giving technical assistance.
Media Training
Media Production
imMEDIAte Results
MISA Botswana is a chapter of the regional
organisation called the Media Institute of
Southern Africa (MISA). It’s headquarters are
based in Windhoek in Namibia. MISA stems
from a visionar ideal created by the ‘Windhoek
Declaration’ of 1991 signed in Namibia.
The Windhoek Declaration aims to foster a conducive
media environment that is characterized by an open, diverse,
pluralistic and independent media.
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