AIDS: SA MEN REVEAL IT ALL

The book, “Through the Voices of Men - South African Men Speak about HIV”, zeros in on the ravages of HIV&AIDS, a disease that has wrought so much devastation.

“It was because of such reckless sexual encounters that I can't say when I was infected, or who infected me. The only time I realised that I might be in danger was when I read a book about HIV”.

Alas, in many ways South Africa has become "ground zero" for the virus on the African continent with the prevalence of the number of people in the country infected with the HIV virus rising to 10.6% from 10.5 % in 2010. A total of 5.38 million people are infected with the virus and the country has an estimated 2.01 million “AIDS orphans” and at least 380,500 additional people are expected to be infected with HIV in 2011.

Public attention has focused on women and children impacted by the virus, since they represent the population most affected. Recently, however, national campaigns and organizations in South Africa such as "Brothers for Life" have given attention to men's involvement in the crisis.

Unlike other books in the region, “Through the Voices of Men - South African Men Speak about HIV”, Professor Christopher Brooks seeks to deepen the national discussion by presenting the personal narratives of men whose lives have been affected by the virus. This book presents the unscripted stories of 20 men from different ethnic groups in the country.

It also includes a foreword written by Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron as well as an afterword contributed by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

The author, Brooks, has charted the life-changing effects of the virus on Zulu, Tswana, Xhosa, Afrikaner, Pedi, Venda, Tsonga, Shangaan, and coloured men. Additionally, the life-stories of several Muslim and Asian men are profiled. It is clear from this work that each group within these cultural groups harbours a tradition of self-denial, shame, and stigma.

Martin Vosloo, one of the contributors, shares some illuminating reminiscences with the readers. As regards HIV, he writes: "Back in 1990, we still didn't know much. The only thing that I knew about HIV was that it was something that killed you”. Even his doctor said when informing him of his status, “Martin, your life is over”. That was the doctor saying this! But in his case, Vosloo ignored the virus in his body for seven years before taking ARVs.

As this work shows, many of the men indulged in self-denial until the reality of the virus could not be ignored. For Harry Nyathela it took a long time to realise his numerous sexual contacts exposed him to the virus. “It then clicked in my head that I might have a problem." It took a near-death experience before Nyathela entered care.

Brooks has included questions at the end of each chapter to stimulate discussion among support groups, men and women dialogues, speak-out sessions, collective community gatherings, and for purposes of individual reflection. This adds even more depth and breadth to the book.

This is a well-researched, breathtaking work that adds cubits to the existing published material on HIV&AIDS. It is up-to-date and sobering.

Christopher Brooks is an author and professor of Anthropology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.