Aids project for artists

the dangers of HIV and Aids in a sector hard hit by the scourge.
The decision comes at a time when Zimbabwe is grappling with the effects of HIV and Aids that has heavily decimated the population, resulting in 1 500 HIV-related deaths every week.

For a long time artists have been complaining over lack of tailor-made programmes for them.
Their argument has been that, more often than not, artists are regarded as illustrative agents, not participants despite the fact that they are in the high-risk group and need to benefit from the same information.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Elvas Mari has on several occasions accused national programmers on HIV and Aids of failing to involve artists on prevention and awareness programmes.
However, concerns of artists will soon be addressed following the decision by the National Aids Council to roll out a training programme for artists sometime this year.
Communications manager for NAC, Ms Medeline Dube said her organisation has received project proposals from several arts bodies requesting for funding to raise awareness on HIV and Aids among artists.
“A few weeks ago, we received a project proposal from the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association who wants their members to be capacitated with information on HIV and Aids. The idea is noble and we are happy with the initiative they haven taken. The arts sector has got a big role to play and we want to assist them as much as possible. We are currently in talks with UNAids as we look at a combined approach that will

benefit a lot of artists,” she said.
“Admittedly so, we have for years collaborated with artists to organise events like World Aids Day, because of their ability to package information well. We regard them as important partners in disseminating

information on the pandemic. We have reached a stage, where we feel they also have to walk the talk and be part of the process to change.”
She applauded Zimura’s proactive approach, which if fully implemented, would result in significant behavioural change among the group. Zimura, is a non-governmental organisation working to protect and promote intellectual property rights. It also fosters development of Zimbabwean music through effective and efficient collective management.

Currently the association has got close to 2 000 members, mainly composers and musicians across the sector. If implemented the programme will benefit a lot of artists, because the information will cascade to every band member.

Polisile Ncube, Zimura director said raising awareness to artists, particularly musicians on the dangers of HIV and Aids was long overdue.
“Artists world over are perceived to be in the high-risk category when it comes to HIV and Aids largely because of their high level of interaction and their propensity to get into short term-relationships whenever they are travelling for shows. For a long time, we have been working on a project that empower our artists with information on HIV and Aids because of their vulnerability and level of exposure to the pandemic,” she said.

Prevention, raising awareness, fighting stigma are some of the areas that Zimura would want to be addressed during the training programmes that will be carried out in all provinces, where its members operate from. Ncube added that they were already looking at roping in other partners, to assist them in implementing the project, once everything has been finalised.
Artists have for a long time felt that there was an information gap on issues surrounding HIV and Aids.

Progress Chipfumo, a Southerton-based afro-jazz musician, said the programme couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We need the information on HIV and Aids not only for ourselves, but also for our fans whom we interact with on a daily basis. Needless to say, we have since taken a proactive approach and have begun to educate people, through music.

“Of course, they will be a section of our fans, who would choose to ignore the message, and gyrate to the beat, its all good, because we are convinced one day they may get the message,” he said.
Chipfumo, a father of one has been in the music industry for more than 15 years and travels with his wife Cindy Khumalo whenever he is holding shows, as a way of “fending off overzealous female fans.” Like many artists living in the era of the pandemic, Chipfumo has been actively involved in the fight against HIV and Aids through music.

He has several songs on his discography that warns people on the dangers of HIV and Aids, and among them are the tracks “Chenjera” and “What Comes Around Goes Around”.
Chipfumo says while the majority of Zimbabweans have now been schooled on the dangers of the pandemic, stigma remains amajor drawback.

“There are so many people who may want to get tested and know their status but boy, oh boy, with so much stigma around, they may not live for another day, once their status becomes public information,” he said.