Financial Gazette (Harare)
22 August 2008
Harare — LOCAL and regional artistes should be accorded ambassadorial roles in the fight against HIV/AIDS in southern Africa as they understand the dynamics and cultural life of the communities affected.
Eugene Marillier-Malotana, the founder and director of the SADC Artists AIDS Festival (SAAF) and the SADC Artistes AIDS Support Network (SasNet), said while international celebrities gave weight to local HIV/AIDS programmes it would be more effective if that role was left to local celebrities.
"I believe Oliver Mtukudzi can do more to convince locals than Will Smith.
"Oliver knows how difficult it is for locals to have access to anti-retroviral drugs than Will," she added.
In light of this, Marillier-Malotana has initiated an artiste's forum that brings together Zimbabwean musicians, poets and actors together to discuss HIV/AIDS issues.
In June, 40 artistes gathered in Bulawayo for the launch of such forums.
The second such grouping took place this month in Harare.
"We found that artistes were reluctant to be seen at the New Start centres, hence the launch of this forum.
"At these forums artistes are so candid and we would like to open a testing and counseling centre for artistes. We would invite a doctor and counsellors," said Marillier-Malotana.
The idea of artiste centres will be spread throughout SADC, and these facilities will not only deal with the infected, but those affected through family or relatives.
The artiste forums include workshops for creative writers, lyricists and film script writers.
She said artistes were also victims of HIV/AIDS and involving them in the fight against the disease would go a long way as they are listened to by the general public.
"We would like to involve as many artistes as possible and this can be done through arts related projects.
"Last year we held a three-day multi-dimensional festival in Zimbabwe with participants coming from as far as Zambia and Lesotho," said Marillier-Malotana.
In November last year the first edition of the SADC Artistes AIDS Festival was launched in Harare.
It was during a three-day workshop for artistes that a call for the establishment of an organisation that would champion the cause for artistes affected by HIV/AIDS was made.
During this meeting, artistes representing five SADC countries signed a declaration of commitment to the cause, which culminated in the establishment of the SADC Artistes AIDS Support Network.
Marillier-Malotana said SasNet would aim to undertake research and provide statistics and data on artistes that are living with HIV/AIDS and needing Anti-retroviral Therapy; provide information, services and support to artistes in general and in particular to those living with AIDS.
The regional body of SasNet is chaired by Virginia Phiri, a wellknown Zimbabwean author, while Stephen Chifunyise, also well known throughout the SADC region as a leading playwright, serves as committee advisor.
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