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Zimbabwean musicians: The missing link in HIV prevention efforts
Garikai Muchemwa
June 04, 2010

The trend that has been happening in the Zimbabwe music fraternity since the advent of HIV and AIDS to date makes my heart very heavy. This is more so when there is a lack of a specific HIV prevention strategy targeting musicians. In the past the HIV pandemic has wreaked havoc in the music fraternity and a number of icons and upcoming artistes alike have died as a result. While in the past I have noted with utter shock as many musicians succumbed to the virus and finally die of AIDS related ailments the recent developments in 2010 have inspired me to pen this article and break my silence of a very long time. As a development practitioner with specific interest in HIV prevention I got highly disturbed with the issues surrounding Josphat Somanje-s infidelity and Tongai Moyo-s multiple concurrent sexual partnerships (MCPs) that were all over the news in recent weeks.

The first issue that caught my attention was in the H-Metro (March: 2010) which exposed Josphat Somanje-s infidelity as he was caught by his wife in the act with a girlfriend popularly referred to as 'small house- in Zimbabwe. Then, barely a week after disclosing his HIV status Tongai Moyo had a domestic dispute with his wife over his intentions of marrying a second wife and there are even some claims that the man impregnated his wife-s young sister. This unfortunately claimed Barbara-s life (Moyo-s wife) as she committed suicide using rat poison. All such unfortunate incidents to me, are a clear indication that some of these musicians will never learn that the HIV pandemic is a real menace in their industry and a threat to their existence. It is against such an upsetting background that I have noticed a missing link in all the HIV prevention efforts that are being made by the country through concerted efforts by the government and a myriad of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and AIDS service organisations (ASOs) in Zimbabwe.

In as much as Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in Southern Africa that has managed to bring down its HIV prevalence to 13.6% from about 30% in the early 80s I feel that there is still a gap in HIV prevention efforts in the music fraternity. The two cases of Josphat & Tongai alluded to above are just but a tip of an iceberg of what is happening in the sector. It-s surprising to note that while Zimbabwe has joined other African countries in denouncing the practice of multiple concurrent sexual partners (MCPs), most of our musicians in Zimbabwe find it fashionable to grab as many wives as they wish. I don-t have anything against musicians in Zimbabwe but I think that some behaviours that are being exhibited by some of them dampen all the efforts that we are making as a nation in educating the sexually active groups to desist from having MCPs thus reduce the spread of HIV & AIDS. In fact if a needs analysis was to be conducted it would indicate that while everyone is vulnerable, musicians are more vulnerable to HIV particularly given the prevailing scenario that has been captured above hence a strong need for HIV prevention programmes. I therefore think it is imperative for those NGOs that are implementing HIV prevention programmes to make their presence felt in the music industry as a matter of urgency. There is no doubt that if the many HIV prevention programmes currently being implemented in the country are also directed at these musicians/musical groups this will go a long way to change some of the risky practices obtaining in the sector and consequently reduce the incidence of HIV.

Having multiple concurrent sexual increases one-s chances of contracting HIV and research has pointed MCPs as one of the major driver of HIV in Southern Africa particularly Zimbabwe. Henceforth the fact that many of these musicians defy the call for all and sundry to be faithful is a clear demonstration that we still have a long way to go in the fight against HIV. Ideally, musicians are supposed to be role models and walk the talk. We are supposed to learn from them not only through their music alone but also through their deeds. Imagine what comes into one-s mind now when they either hear Tongai Moyo or Josphat Somanje-s songs or just the mention of either one of them. Obviously the mere mention of this duo or their songs will remind you of their infidelity which largely contradicts what they portray in their songs. Just recently I heard one person converting Tongai-s lyrics from "Nemumvura mese Naye" to "Nemuguva mese Naye" literally meaning that the musician must follow his wife to the grave since through his song he portrayed her wife and himself as inseparable.

I wonder what happened to Tendai Westerhorf-s Public Personalities Against AIDS Trust (PPAT). I am gradually realizing that hers was a brilliant idea that by now would have harnessed all these public personalities in HIV prevention efforts. At least by now if the organization was still functional maybe she would have found a strategy to penetrate the 'closed- circle of the music industry.

When I read in the Sunday Mail of 9 May 2010 that Tongai Moyo had publicly disclosed his HIV status, I could not help but admire the man. This was a courageous stunt especially from a musician of his calibre. To me, more positive things/behaviours were in the way and I kept on anticipating that more musicians would one way or the other lead by example as Tongai had done. Unbeknown to me however a week later Tongai- wife was to commit suicide because he had married another wife whom he brought to their family home. What a shame!!!!! Surely this saddened me and made me realize that these musicians need help in HIV prevention education like yesterday.

The Zimbabwe National Behavioural Change Strategy for prevention of sexual transmission of HIV (2006-2010) clearly identifies leaders as key figures in spearheading behaviour change and as such these leaders are supposed to be role models. In Zimbabwe most of the musicians are leaders in their own respect. Take for instance Oliver Mutukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Leornad Zhakata, Alick Macheso & even Tongai himself they are all leaders. They are supposed to assist us in the NGO world to transform the lives of many through their music but most importantly also through their behaviours. What I am trying to put across is that its high time musicians must walk the talk and stop singing what they don-t practice in their homes. Our hope as a nation is also pinned on musicians in the sense that they have a large following and if they behave well chances are that the fans will also emulate the behaviour(s). It is disappointing though to note that most of the musicians that we have boast of having several wives and children. Take for instance the urban groover youth, Rockford Josphat commonly known as Rocqui, the boy is a womanizer and what does that teaches other youths of his age. The end result if one looks closely so many of them have fallen in the way of the much dreaded pandemic, HIV and AIDS.

I am sure that after chronicling what is happening in the music sector most people will agree with me that there is a serious information gap pertaining to HIV and AIDS information. The million dollar question is should we watch while these great sons and daughters perish or should we join hands to educate them. I know of a number of organisations implementing HIV programmes in all the major towns and even smaller towns and growth points where most of these musicians are residents, please let-s join hands and save our colleagues. For instance you can invite and involve the musicians in all the planning & implementation processes. I know that they are busy people, but let us just give it a try. I for one need every one of them hence the reason why I have put pen on paper to write this article.

Garikai Muchemwa is a Development Practitioner who works for a local NGO in Zimbabwe that implements HIV & AIDS Programmes. He has extensive experience in HIV & AIDS programmes. Views in this article are purely personal and do not in any way reflect those of his employer. The writer can be contacted at the following email address: programmeofficer@yahoo.com

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