Reminiscent of early 2000s TV programming, when stories from those living with the condition became a staple of our prime time programming, Yes I Have HIV Zimbabwe feels like a trip down memory lane. Brought to life by Esprit Concepts and broadcast on Honey TV with Phyllis Mavushe being the guiding voice as host, the reality show couldn’t have come at a better time. Although better might not be the suitable operative word, because what I mean to convey is that it is much needed.
For as much as the technological age has made information readily accessible and everything is a click away, misinformation has become rife. Politically or culturally motivated, the online space has become a playground of unproven theories and irrational beliefs, with the coronavirus pandemic being the biggest symbol of this but other pandemics like HIV haven’t spared too. This issue of misinformation is a major theme in Yes I Have HIV Zimbabwe pilot episode.
A father who is seeking help to share his status with his son, shares how when he first got his diagnosis in 2000 he was told not to take ARVs because that would make the illness progress much faster. The 2000s similar to the 2020s were a time of such paranoia about medical treatments. There was distrust and intentional acts ignorance. Even protection was treated the same. People believed in their right not to wear it.
Yes I Have HIV Zimbabwe’s host Phyllis Mavushe, is a young, vibrant and passionate Zimbabwean who was born HIV positive and currently works at Zvandiri. At heart driven to make a positive difference, Phyllis is perfect for the role. She sits along with each participant and helps talk through their journey before assisting them to disclose their HIV positive status to their chosen loved one with the help of an in-house counsellor Stella Mkorera.
Phyllis exudes warmth and brings the desired sensitivity to a show that explores a delicate issue. Zimbabwe has a population of 15 million, with 54% being under the age of 20. A third of all new HIV infections are among adolescents and youth aged 15 – 24 years old. Adolescent girls and young women are twice as likely to contract the virus.
The numbers showcase how much needed conversations are about HIV and AIDS. What is often considered common knowledge about AIDS pandemic has seen to not be so common.
The show premiered at the beginning of June and new episodes of Yes I Have HIV Zimbabwe air every Sunday at 7:30pm on Honey TV, channel 173 on DStv. It adds to a growing catalogue of Zimbabwean shows on the reality tv channel and it is one of several Yes I Have HIV shows dedicated to different countries.
