Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Richmore Tera
8 July 2009
book review
Harare — IF ever there is one thing that should be done to HIV and Aids activist and author, Tendayi Kateketa-Westerhof's books, it is prescribing and adopting them for the local education curricula so that students can have a proper and informed insight into the many facets of the virus.
This is the idea that recently crossed my mind when reading the second edition of her second book, Dear Cousin that was issued out recently.
The book -- written in an epistolary or letter form -- is a telling testimony of Tendayi's personal experiences from the time that she tested HIV positive, the self and social denial and rejection that followed afterwards, the stigma and the gradual acceptance of the status that eventually led to positive living.
The book is addressed to Tendayi's cousin who is in a similar position to hers -- that of living with HIV and Aids.
Tendayi uses her personal experiences and background to counsel her cousin by telling him that testing positive to the virus is not the end of the world, although to many people it is often very difficult to come terms with, to accept and live with the status.
From the author's tone, the cousin is obviously devastated by the news of his HIV positive status and is struggling to adjust to the life of taking ARV drugs.
In one of the opening paragraphs of the book, Tendayi assures: "My dear, I understand what you are going through. Starting ARV treatment is a wise decision, but an important one in terms of taking charge of your life and health.
"I do acknowledge that the first few months are not easy, I can only advise you based on my experience."
The book's letter format is relevant in that the author doesn't disclose the name of her cousin -- thereby making it an open letter to anyone struggling to come to terms with living with HIV/Aids.
Above all, the letter is open for reading by anyone affected by the virus after having relatives or friends who are infected.
It is a vicarious way of educating society in general on living positively with the virus, fighting stigma, the essence of having tests to ascertain one's HIV status.
The author also challenges captains of industry and commerce, politicians, the church, civic leaders, sports-people and other public personalities to lead by example by taking the necessary and bold step of having HIV tests in a bid to motivate and inspire society to follow suit.
Tendayi doesn't forget to explain the value of eating healthily in order to boost one's immune system.
The book -- published by the Public Personalities Against Aids Trust -- is accentuated by black and white photographs at the beginning of every chapter that encapsulate a message of what the chapter is all about.
Tendayi is a fashion model and motivational speaker who was married to former National Warriors Soccer Team coach, Dutch Clemence Westerhof before divorcing following her HIV and Aids diagnosis in 2002.
She went public about it, writing her first book, Unlucky In Love, which was published in 2005, that was a graphic revelation of her experiences with Westerhof.
The same year, the mother of four was awarded the Auxilia Chimusoro Leadership Award for candid and active stand on HIV and Aids issues.
She featured in the documentary Growing Stronger about women struggling to survive in a society rent apart by HIV and Aids.
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