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HIV rekindles playwright's passion
Yolanda Mufweba. Saturday Weekend Argus. 08 March 2003. Republished courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
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Ironically, the virus that has condemned legendary playwright Gibson Kente to death has also given him a new lease of life in theatre production and television.
Kente, who disclosed his HIV status three weeks ago, said he had been given an opportunity to put his passion back in use again.
"I have submitted scripts to the SABC. One is on crime and the other one is titled Sons against Fathers, which is about the youth fighting poverty and is basically social melodies.
"There is also a play on HIV/AIDS which I'm still scripting. The people must be given something that they can take home and talk about and sing about. It's not only about the songs on HIV/AIDS, it's built on the lives of those with HIV/AIDS," he said.
Kente, who is fondly referred to as Bra Gib, has been the father of black theatre since the 1970s and helped mould the talents of people such as Brenda Fassie, Mbongeni Ngema, Mara Louw and Nomsa Nene.
But with the news of his diagnosis, Kente has had to deal with other demons.
"I've had long discussions with myself. I suspect that I got it sometime during April last year. There were a number of people with whom I was associated, but I've counted two of them with whom I've had a relationship during that time. I think about what would have happened if I had taken the necessary precautions. What would have happened? I was almost sure before I was tested that I had HIV/AIDS, so it didn't come as a shock. It's my nature to condition myself," he said.
Asked how he knew that he could have been infected in April, he said: "After I found out I spoke to the girl with whom I had a relationship before April. She went for a test and it came out negative. So I suspect it's the other girl.
"I've left messages and tried to contact her, but she hasn't replied to them. Hopefully we can sit down and talk about this. I've had no other relationships after that one," he said.
He joins more than 4,7 million South Africans who are believed to be infected with the virus, and one of the few who have disclosed their status.
"In December I was as fit as a fiddle. Then by late January my health deteriorated. It was then that the virus became active. I went to a doctor who advised me to go for a test. But there were no signs telling me I had HIV/AIDS.
"People are dying because of fear of disclosure. I came out in the open because I am not scared of the stigma. I believe that I can live for many years and I'll be setting a good example strengthwise and healthwise," he said. |
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