TSHITEREKE - An HIV positive man is on a drive to advise the community to accept HIV and live positively with the disease.

Colbert Mafune (37) from the rural village of Tshitereke, near Thohoyandou told Mirror that the time for brooding in silence is over and it is important that everyone must disclose his/her status so that the virus can be controlled effectively. Colbert has recently been appointed Health Promoter at the University of Venda and he is also the Health Ambassador of people living with AIDS in the Vhembe District.

He also has a slot on Tuesdays from 19:00 to 19:30 on Phalaphala FM where he advises the community on how to live positively with the disease.

Proudly holding his medical certificate to prove his status, Colbert said he first learnt that he was HIV positive in 1999 at Donald Fraser Hospital. “I lost a lot of weight and dropped from 67 to 39kg. I could not walk and suffered from headaches, vomiting and diarrhoea. I could not believe it when doctors told me that I was HIV positive. I was shocked and I could not understand what was going on. I thought life was worthless and it was the end of the world. I suffered from stress and depression and I had no courage to go on with life. I even thought of committing suicide. After numerous sessions of counseling, I accepted my status and faced life with courage and on 4 February 2000, I decided to disclose my status to the public and live positively with the disease. Since then, I have been living a normal life and I now weigh 72kg. The first medication to HIV is to accept yourself and live positively.”

Colbert said it was not easy to disclose his status because he feared rejection from local community members. “My wife immediately ran away from me when she learnt that I was HIV positive. However, the support I am getting from my close family members is overwhelming. I believe in myself and I know I still have a lot to offer to my community. I would like to discourage those who think that being HIV positive is a death warrant. HIV is like any other disease. What is needed is proper control, exercise and suitable diet. I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, eggs, beans and pure fruit juice to keep my body healthy. I also drink a lot of water to keep my body healthy. I am a complete human being; it is only my flesh that has been contaminated with the virus.”

Colbert, a father of two, is at times a busy man because he goes to local schools, clinics and hospitals to testify and advise the community about the disease.

“I have saved many lives of fellow HIV positive South Africans who wanted to commit suicide. I sit down with them and advise them about the disease. Today, I have so many HIV positive friends who are facing life with courage and they are contributing to the development of society…”

Colbert said that, because of his poor financial background, he could not conduct his outreach programmes effectively.

“I need financial assistance for producing pamphlets, establishing an office and for covering travelling expenses. I want every-body to know about the disease, especially those in the remote rural areas who think HIV does not exist. HIV is a reality and it is our responsibility to control it. I want to teach people to use condoms or to abstain from unprotected sexual behaviour.”

However, Colbert said he is disappointed by people who use him as an instrument to make money.

“Many people have applied for HIV/AIDS project funds, using my name, but when they get the money they disappear and help themselves to the cash.”

Colbert can be contacted on 082 503 9574.