Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka
PASTOR Reki Jimu (54), known for his television programme ‘Handisi MuDeparture Lounge,’ tested HIV positive in 2001.
He was 30.
His first wife Tendai Goba succumbed to complications related to the virus at the age of 27.
Pastor Jimu’s television programme was aired on ZBC in 2004 when he pioneered the HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Campaign, encouraging communities to live positively through taking their medication religiously.
Those were the days when HIV/AIDS accounted for the majority of deaths in the country. During those days, HIV diagnosis was like a death sentence since there was no medication but the arrival of anti-retroviral drugs changed all that.
The deaths have been reduced and the stigma and discrimination has disappeared.
His two sons died. His daughter, Faith Jimu, is now 32 and a mother of three.
They are all HIV negative.
By now, some assume that Pastor Jimu is probably dead since his programme is no longer running on national television.
However, Pastor Jimu is still alive in Chitungwiza and is still offering HIV testing and counselling services at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.
He is the founder of the Christian Fellowship Network Trust and a leader of the Community Child Workers in Chitungwiza.
Two years after the death of his wife, Pastor Jimu had an HIV test and he found out that he was positive.
His diagnosis did not dampen his zeal to live — although he encountered a lot of hurdles from relatives, friends and colleagues.
“When I started losing weight, people said I was being bewitched by my brother whom they claimed had goblins that were sucking out my blood. The back-biting started when my wife and two sons were still alive and it really divided the family.
“But we later mended our relationship after we got enough information about HIV from various AIDS-related organisations such as the National AIDS Council, Family Support Clinic, among others, and this helped to remove stigma and discrimination.
“My wife died in 2001, succumbing to AIDS, although then we had no proof she was suffering from it.
kIds at pastor Jimu’s party
“She had Kaposi’s sarcoma, an HIV-related cancer.
“I later married Francisca Thomson and she is very supportive, she reminds me as to when I can take my anti-retroviral drugs and she supports my community work which we do under our Christian Fellowship Network Trust where we give moral and spiritual support to orphans and vulnerable children and persons with disabilities,” he said.
Recently, Pastor Jimu held a mini gala at his house in Chitungwiza where several children from disadvantaged families were treated with music and dance and counselling sessions on how they can live positively in the wake of an HIV positive test.
“I have decided to share some little goodies that I sourced from well-wishers such as blankets, clothing, food and we are also assisting several children to acquire birth certificates through the Social Welfare Department.
“We have noted that there are several child-headed families and those children cannot go to school because they do not have birth certificates hence we are assisting them,” he said.
Pastor Jimu said some of the parents succumbed to HIV and Covid-19 complications and some of the children were HIV-positive and they need to be assisted in collecting their medication to instil adherence.
“We are working together with my wife Francisca in supporting orphans and vulnerable children and we are encouraging communities to support us even with second hand clothes and food, they will change a life out there.
“We are both on new HIV drugs Sodium Vaiplent and Kocitaf.
“Faith’s three children are HIV negative,” he said.
His neighbour Chipo Kodzewo hailed Pastor Jimu’s humanitarian work.
“We need more people who are like the Jimu family because they bring a smile to orphans and neglected children.
“They provide them with counselling and assist them with bus fare such that they can go to the hospital for medical attention because the majority of them are HIV positive.
“Children need love and Pastor Jimu and his wife are there providing love.”
Senzeni Mbizvo, a Community Child Worker (CCW) Chitungwiza, said children and persons with disabilities who are HIV positive need the best of support.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that persons with disabilities and young people get their medication on time and they do need monitoring because at times they forget.
“It is not easy to take ARVs or any other tablets for life.”
