Never forget; never give up
2008-05-20
“Never forget; never give up” was the theme of Sunday’s uplifting service to mark the 25th annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day. Phalaborwa held its candlelight memorial service at the Phosphate Hall, Namakgale.
Guest speaker, the inspirational Criselda Kananda, encouraged those present to remember the three Rs: Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Responsibility. She asked everyone to give themselves a warm, embracing hug. “Every morning while you are brushing your teeth, look in the mirror and tell yourself you are beautiful”, she said. She asserts that HIV is not that destructive but it is rather our attitude that is destructive.
Diagnosed with HIV ten years ago, Kananda is vibrant proof that HIV is not a death sentence. Still living without any symptoms and medication-free, she has turned her life into a mission to educate and inspire people affected by HIV. Apart from maintaining excellent health and nutrition, she recommends that everyone should take time each day to be quiet and listen to their inner voice. “You’ll discover how much we criticise who we are”, she said, explaining that the reason people diagnosed with HIV worry about what other people will say is because they know the bad things that they say to themselves. She advised looking to new beginnings – because there always are some – and to start planning for the long term as well as the short term.
Far from advising people that it’s OK to be infected with HIV, however, Kananda insisted that it was far better to avoid it in the first place. “Girls, keep your skirts down and your panties up!” she warned. “Preserve yourself; the right man will come along”. She also warned against staying in abusive relationships. “If you don’t respect yourself, no-one else will”, she said. “Always remember, you are your best friend”.
Kananda warned against using negative language when talking about HIV and AIDS. By calling someone an “AIDS victim” we encourage that person to feel like a victim; a victim who must have someone else to blame. She also condemned the term “AIDS orphan”, asking, “What difference does it make whether the child has lost his parents because of a car accident or because of AIDS related illness? He is still an orphan. We already stigmatise them by calling them AIDS orphans”. This struck a chord with the congregation and the mayor, the Honourable Gloria Valoyi, was later applauded for her announcement that we should not refer to “AIDS orphans” from now on. The mayor also insisted that although the candlelight memorial is held only once a year, we should remember to fight HIV every day: “Never forget; never give up”.
Matthew Gili, managing director of Palabora Mining Company (PMC), explained PMC’s involvement with HIV and AIDS initiatives in the area, centring on the Palabora Foundation. On behalf of all partners, Gili promised, “We will never give up our social responsibility”.
The lighting of candles, always an emotional part of the service, was led by Sgt Esther Sebesho-Moraba of the Ba-Phalaborwa HIV and AIDS support group. Nearly forced to leave the defence forces due to her bad behaviour after discovering her HIV status, she has taken back control of her life and is fighting back: “2010, here I come!”
The service was well attended by hundreds of local people, including representatives from Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, the traditional health practitioners, Maphutha Malatji Hospital, Palabora Mining Company, Foskor (Pty) Ltd, Sasol Nitro, 7 SAI battalion, the Palabora Foundation, and Ba-Phalaborwa HIV and AIDS Support Group. There were also visitors from outside the area, including the Kgapane Hospital Support Group and SA Social Security Agency. Musical entertainment was provided by the provincial SAPS brass band as well as choral verse from Mhalamhala Primary School and Maphokwane and Baranuka High School choirs.
The service was attended and broadcast by Thobela FM, a strong supporter of the community’s HIV and AIDS awareness programme. “Think of a society free of HIV and AIDS – because it is possible if we follow the advice from the experts”, said station manager, Mr L Ramakgolo. This sentiment was echoed by Criselda Kananda, who reminded the congregation that AIDS is not a disease; AIDS is a syndrome comprising 31 different illnesses, most of them preventable and curable.
Thanks are due to everyone involved for this inspiring and successful service.
The Phelang Community Centre in Namakgale provides support, information and treatment to those living with HIV and AIDS. The centre can be contacted on 015 769 5028. The centre is managed by the Palabora Foundation in partnership with Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality; Palabora Mining Company, the Limpopo Province Department of Health and Social Development, Foskor Limited, Sasol Nitro, and OXFAM Australia.
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Run with assistance from the European Union