17 July 2008
column
The journalist who dared to change the world through Mildred Mpundu HIV/AIDS Fund for Community Media launched by Panos Institute Southern Africa.
On 29 July 2007 has died, Zambia's Sunday Post ran a story that shook the country to its core. It revealed that Mildred Mpundu - veteran journalist and HIV/AIDS campaigner - was, herself, HIV positive. Through the platform of a prominent Zambian broadsheet, Mpundu had taken the exceptionally brave and unprecedented step of speaking out about her status, both to Zambia and the entire world.
"You shouldn't just write, but do as you write so that readers can follow your example," she said. "I would encourage people to test and come out in the open and I would like to help other journalists because we journalists tend to hide."
As a journalist, Mpundu had, for years, struck a chord with her resoundingly powerful writing on HIV/AIDS; now, as a journalist who dared to come out about her HIV status, she became an inspiration to thousands.
Spearheaded by Panos Institute Southern Africa, the Mildred Mpundu HIV/AIDS Fund for Community Media is both a celebration of Mpundu's life, and a crucial development of her HIV/AIDS work.
It also represents a continuation of Panos's steadfast support for Mpundu and the values she embodied. Throughout the last decade, Panos awarded Mpundu numerous journalism fellowships, to support her work as a reporter on development issues in southern Africa.
The organisation was also integral to Mpundu's decision to go public about her status, and supported her throughout her illness.
The fund was launched by Panos Southern Africa, in association with the Post newspaper's Press Freedom Committee, on June 20, this year at the Cresta Golf View Hotel. The launch brought together journalists, government figures, educationalists and NGO practitioners, in recognition of Mpundu's unique contribution to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS. Minister of Health, Dr Brian Chituwo, was the guest of honour. Former president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, and Panos Southern Africa's patron, was the guest speaker. The event was also attended by Special Guests, Phillip and Anna Mpundu, Mildred Mpundu's parents.
Parkie Mbozi, Panos's regional director, paid tribute to Mpundu's bravery and inspiring work. In his keynote speech, Dr. Kaunda, spoke movingly of Mpundu's "unique voice", life and career, and praised her as a "committed torchbearer...for whom I have the greatest respect."
"She was an activist who devoted her time and energy to the dissemination of information on the AIDS pandemic so that society can benefit," he said. "Mildred's work was intended to teach society against stigmatisation and discrimination."
Hon. Dr. Chituwo congratulated Panos on its commitment to illuminating Mpundu's life and work. "This is an important occasion that signifies the upholding of principles that Mildred stood for," he declared. Phillip Mpundu spoke of his "courageous' daughter", and how he and his wife had supported their daughter in her brave decision, recognising that her declaration would "benefit many people".
The launch event was preceded by a workshop, on June 18, for HIV-affected journalists from across southern Africa. Its fundamental aims were to bring together journalists, to enable them to find both solidarity in sharing their stories, and empowerment through developing strategies for reporting on HIV/AIDS more effectively and accessibly.
"We were seriously motivated last year when Mildred Mpundu who we worked with came out in the open about her HIV status," says Lillian Chigona, Panos's HIV/AIDS programme manager.
The workshop also launched the development of a network for HIV-affected journalists, to help forge effective links between them. One of Mpundu's final wishes was to join hands with other journalists in fighting HIV/AIDS. Tragically, Mildred Mpundu died in November 1ast year.
Her memory and legacy, however, live on.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
