Mazuba’s Story

My name is Mazuba, which means “fierce one.” Where I come from, women are called to be

strong because there is a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. I got married after secondary

school, as do many girls in my village area. My mother also left school to begin her family.

My joy comes from seeing my children grow. My husband, Tapiwa, works as a long distance

truck driver and has to spend days or even weeks away. I make sure he finds the home

nice and organized when he returns. I am faithful to my husband and cannot even think of

cheating on him even though I wonder if he sees other women.

We have three children, and they all attend school nearby. The eldest, a girl, is fourteen

years old and the other two are boys, eleven and nine respectively. I long to see them grow

into great people whom society can lean on. I have always known that there is a good spirit

looking after my children because on each of the days they were born, there was a full moon

which is a good luck charm. There is a traditional healer called Mama Fisi who lives on the

edge of the village, and she is the one who gave us the assurance that our children would

be wealthy when they grow up. After hearing this, we have been offering the necessary

sacrifices to make sure that this comes true.

Of late, I have been feeling tired and weak, and there have been more rumors than usual

about my husband’s infidelity. Some of my neighbors even say that he has brought back

sickness which could kill me. I try to keep busy sewing clothes from home and selling food

on market day, but it is hardly enough to pay for the children’s school fees. Tapiwa earns

enough to feed and clothe us, but money is always tight and things are quite tense…

Neighbors and people at the market whisper about your husband more and more, and you

feel in the pit of your stomach that the rumors must be based on some truth. You just don’t

know how you will ever find out. Even though he does not beat you, Tapiwa is an aggressive

man and his temper flares easily. You know that asking him about the rumors will be tricky.

After his return from a long trip, you actually tremble as you help unpack his belongings and

prepare his water for a bath.

“Welcome home, dear,” you greet him. “How was your trip?”

“It was exhausting, but I came back with a lot of money so tonight we can celebrate.”

And celebrate he does. After supper, he makes you undress in front of him since that always

turns him on. As he removes his trousers, you blurt out, “Tapiwa, do you think that tonight

we could use a condom? It is better to be safe than sorry.”

“Mazuba, is this some kind of a joke? Why should we suddenly use condoms? That is a

ridiculous suggestion.” He pauses, staring at you heavily. “Unless,” he says, “you are seeing

other men.” After assuring him repeatedly that you are faithful to him, he seems satisfied

and you decide it is too risky to ask for a condom again.

Tapiwa is rough during sex, and this, added to the tension and uneasiness in your body, leads to a lot of pain. Even after Tapiwa drops off to sleep, you remain awake long into the night.

Weighing your options, you think Mama Fisi or maybe your friends will have a solution..

If you decide to go to Mama Fisi for advice, go to Traditional Healer and take card 1.

If you decide to talk to your friends, go to Friends & Neighbors and take card 1.

Traditional Healer 1

Mama Fisi lives up on a small hill. She is very powerful. Many of the villagers visit her for

medicine or advice. This time, you want to visit her so that she can help stop Tapiwa from

sleeping with other women. For the next few days, Tapiwa stays at home resting and visiting

neighbors. At last, he decides to go to the town and purchase some things before his next

trip. You can finally visit Mama Fisi. Of course you cannot go and visit without any offerings.

You buy two chickens and take them to her.

“Mazuba, I see you.” Her voice spooks you as you walk the path to her door.

“Mama Fisi, I bring greetings and gifts to you. This is to thank you for protecting us in our

homes.”

“Thank you. I know you have come with a serious problem. What is it?”

“You must have heard the rumors about Tapiwa. He is away a lot and people have started

saying that he is sleeping with other women. I have not been well, and I am afraid that he

may bring sickness if this continues. What do I do?”

“I have the perfect remedy for you Mazuba,” says Mama Fisi. “I have a potion which you will

pour in your bathing water. If you do this every day for a month, Tapiwa will stop sleeping

with other women and devote himself to you only.”

“Thank you so much, Mama Fisi.” You obey her strict instructions and wait for the results.

Unfortunately, after a month there is no change. You begin to question whether you followed

directions correctly. Your husband’s infidelity is now a common source of gossip in the

village, and your health has continued to deteriorate. He returns from his long distance trips

and you are too afraid to try negotiating for safe sex. She decided Go to Medical Care

Medical Care 1

As you approach the clinic your heart is racing and your palms are sweaty.

When you are called in by a nurse, you feel yourself shaking. Her room is filled with posters

about STIs and HIV, and it only makes you feel worse.

“Why haven’t you come with your partner?” the nurse asks.

You tell her that your husband travels and is unable to come with you. She seems impatient

and continues quickly, “What will you do if you are positive?”

The question jolts you. “If I am positive, honestly I don’t know what I will do. I have children.

I cannot be positive. There is no way. I must be negative.”

The nurse does not respond. After taking your blood, she tells you to wait for about an hour.

It feels like the longest wait of your life. When she finally calls you back, the flicker in her

eyes makes you scared. “Mazuba, we have your results. I’m sorry, you are positive.”

There is a heaviness that drops from your throat to the pit of your stomach. The nurse says

that your CD4 count is low and that you can start taking antiretroviral drugs immediately.

She gives you a list of NGOs that have support groups.

Somehow you leave the clinic and get home. The days that follow are agonizing. When you

prepare food for the children, you wonder how many more meals you have left with them.

Bearing the reality of your status alone is impossible, but whom can you talk to about this?

To be continue!