Artists join anti-AIDS roadshow

In the first initiative of its kind in Mozambique, 36 of the country's top artists have joined together to participate in a roadshow known as "Tudo Pela Vida" (All For Life), as part of a key HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. Over a six-month period, starting on 1 August, the artists will tour in a bus along the Maputo corridor, playing a total of 25 concerts and running 25 workshops with communities in the three southern provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane. In each community they will especially target young people, children out of school (who comprise half of all school-aged children), widows and people who engage in high-risk behaviour such as truck drivers, sex workers and migrant mine workers. The roadshow will involve local musicians and theatre groups in the districts visited so that they can continue an active HIV/AIDS campaign once the tour ends. There will also be a talent show where the best 10 songs will be chosen and made into a CD. The jury will consist of a member of the Foundation for Community Development (FDC) - the organisation funding the Road show - which is headed by child rights advocate Graça Machel, and Artsocial, a local company working with artists to create social awareness. "It's the first time since Independence [in 1975] that a large group of artists have got together like this and formed a union," said Roberto Isaías Samuel, the lead vocal of Kapo Dêch, Mozambique's most popular band. "Most of us musicians have in the past participated in musical events alone or with just a couple of other bands, but never before have we all come together and signed a declaration that we will all work together to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, to prevent and de-stigmatise HIV, and to give hope to those who are living with the virus." Dorothy Brislin Ntone, director of Artsocial, added: "The road show is important because it uses personalities who young people see as role models." In Mozambique an estimated 13 percent of the population between the ages of 15-49 is HIV-positive. With over 70 percent of the population living in poverty, few are able to afford the antiretroviral drugs to prolong life. Brislin Ntone said the use of role models, music and theatre to get across messages of hope, with information to prevent HIV infection, is very effective. Although many people, even in remote areas, have heard about HIV/AIDS, most people are unaware of the extent of the problem and their knowledge is shallow. They only suspect they have been living with HIV/AIDS when they are in the terminal phases, and then relatives often say they died of an illness without saying it was AIDS. Few people know about the difference between HIV (the virus) and AIDS (the syndrome) and are ignorant of important facts, for example, how to live positively, the dangers of re-infection and mother-to-child transmission. Samuel said the preparation for the road show was important. All the artists attended a five-day workshop held from 2 to 6 June in the capital, Maputo. It was co-facilitated by South African musician Ray Phiri, who is an HIV/AIDS activist and one of the lead members of the renowned band, Stimela. "We wanted all the artists to have a common basic knowledge so that they all communicate the same message, one that is not only correct, but creative, and is meaningful," Brislin Ntone, told PlusNews. "The workshop went beyond our expectation. There was a spirit of mutual support among the artists. The local language messages they came up with at the end of the workshop were so creative and moving." Samuel added that in the past, when asked to perform music for HIV/AIDS awareness events, their messages lacked depth. "We used to sing 'Sida Mata'," (Portuguese for "AIDS kills"). He added that the artists learnt new information about HIV/AIDS and were especially moved by a presentation during the workshop by Arlindo Fernandes, the president of Kindlimuka, the association of people living with HIV/AIDS. Fernandes talked about the process of empowerment he went through after discovering he was HIV-positive five years ago. At first, he said, the nurses did not want to touch him, but now things are gradually changing, although not fast enough. He challenged public figures, who are HIV-positive, to come out in the open, like he has. "We can be important role models for people, especially for the youth. If we test ourselves, and if we are positive - come out and say so," said Samuel. Independent from the workshop, the country's first media professional, 40-year-old Bento Bango, announced publicly this month that he is HIV-positive. The journalist, who works for the weekly paper Zambeze, was flanked by Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi and Health Minister Francisco Songane at a press conference where he revealed his status. The artists were informed about Bango's announcement during the workshop. "I think the fact that the journalist came out has further opened doors for us (artists) to do the same," Samuel told PlusNews.