On Wednesday several young Zimbabwean celebrities took part in a public HIV testing exercise, meant to encourage other youths to get tested and know their HIV status. The programme was launched by the US embassy on World AIDS day, which is commemorated worldwide. Setting the example were footballers Norman Maroto (Gunners), Washington Arubi and Desmond Maringwa (both Dynamos), musicians Alexio Kawara and Edith Katiji, TV personality Rumbidzai Mugwira and Big Brother Africa star and actor Munyaradzi Chidzonga.
United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Charles Ray, also got tested, telling those who attended that wiser older folk like him were not always listened to and they had brought the well known footballers, singers and TV star to set an example for others to follow. The exercise was also witnessed by local journalists.
One by one the celebrities explained why it was important to get tested and did their best to dispel fears over the consequences of knowing your HIV status. They all stressed the importance of planning for the future. The results from the public testing will be kept confidential but all of them did go through counseling first.
Meanwhile the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted the 10th annual Auxillia Chimusoro Awards Ceremony. The awards honor individuals or organizations that have excelled in their involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe. One of the winners was Catherine Murombedzi, the first journalist in Zimbabwe to publicly reveal her positive status.
Around one in ten of the population in Zimbabwe is living with HIV and the tense political and social climate has made it even harder to respond to the epidemic. Since 2000, the United States government has invested over US$245 million in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.
Post published in: News