Life of woman infected deliberately with HIV
She is full of life, energetic and just incredibly phenomenal. Carrying a smile all the time is what revivified that Wednesday afternoon. Of course, she looks healthy, vibrant and for someone who doesn’t know her, they wouldn’t believe that she is living with HIV.
She grew up without the love of her mother, who unfortunately passed on when she was only 10 years old. Traditionally, the next of kin takes over. It can be a sister or a brother to her mother, but in her incidence, the grandmother filled in the vacuum.
This young woman is an HIV activist and she has definitely learnt to live positively with the extremely contagious virus. She wore a white t-shirt with bold writings, HIV positive! This is a clear demonstration that HIV for her is just a virus living inside her, but the most critical thing is to embrace life, one day at a time.
Its quite a rare thing to see a gorgeous woman carry herself positively like that. This is because HIV is rampant among young girls and women. Most of them are drowning in sorrows, fighting emotions all the time with many questions circulating on their heads all the time.
“How did I get the HIV virus? What if I was HIV negative? I’m I going to find a man who will accept my HIV status? Will the virus kill me? How am I going to have children? By the look in Tlhalefo Phele’s face, these kind of questions will never come anywhere near her, for she has redefined who she is, fought stereotypes and shattered the stigma associated with the HIV disease.
Phele’s story is quite unalike and distressing. She was in love with a man and it was all exhilarating, thought-provoking and promising. I mean, that’s what being in a relationship really is all about: fun, inspiration, development, sexual practices and everything that is relaxing to the body. Soul and mind.
But for her, sexual intercourse brought her an incurable disease: HIV. What that was Phele was anticipating will ever happen? Absolutely not. Perhaps she was blinded by love. Sad but true, most young girls contract the disease all in the name of love.
To some extent, she blamed herself for being reckless. Its only advisable that she doesn’t beat herself that much. In today’s world, most people have learnt to live positively with the disease, and she is one of them.
“I met someone who claimed to be loving me. He infected me when he knew about his HIV positive status. I too was reckless for it was entirely my responsibility to take care of myself. I was only 22-years old when I found about my status.â€
Post this devastating discovery, Phele landed in depression and emotional anxiety was an order of each day she woke up to. She had to learn to live with the virus, because unfortunately, its incurable and she will live with the virus her entire life. Phele had only one choice: to fight to stay and keep healthy.
“I was so devastated after I tested positive. This is one of the days I will never forget. I became suicidal but I thought of the life I have to life. I had to man up and face the reality. It wasn’t an easy task though, but it had to be done.â€
She then referred herself to Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse. Phele said she was hunting for counselling that will help her digest the bitter pill of being HIV positive.
“Luckly, I met someone who was living with HIV and I was filled with significant information that I believe came at the time I needed it the most. From that day, I accepted my status and confronted my then ex-boyfriend about the issue. I was very angry at him and all he said was sorry.â€
Being the poor girl she was from a rural area, Phele had nothing to use against the perpetrator. What would she use to sue him? Which door will open if she knocks and report the matter? A girl so young and naïve will obviously let sleeping dogs lie.
“I wasn’t ready to open up to another partner yet. I had accepted myself but I wasn’t ready to disclose to another person. I lost allies who distanced themselves from me and some family members judged me. This killed the confidence I had growing up but I had to bounce back to life.â€
She underlined that she came back to life in a blink of an eye, which was also appropriate by the way. “I disclosed my status publicly after three years of having the virus live in me. This was after a saw my age mate troubled by stigma and lack of self-acceptance. Many of them succumbed to the virus. They didn’t want to live positively with HIV fearing stigma.â€
No one should lose their life because of stigma, Phele said. She has been working and volunteering with non-governmental organizations since she went public about her status.
“Having a partner when you are HIV positive is not easy. But eventually one can find a partner with pure intentions. I have had my ups and downs but I’ve never pinned the blame on my status. If the relationship goes south, it can be any other reason but not because I am HIV positive.â€
Phele told this publication that she is in a relationship with a partner that is HIV negative, and things have been in order despite her HIV status.
Meanwhile, the Fifth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V) conducted in 2021 says the annual incidence of HIV among adults aged 15â€64 years in Botswana was 0.2%, which corresponds to approximately 2,200 new cases of HIV per year among adults. HIV incidence was 0.4% among females and 0.0% among males.
Prevalence of HIV among adults in Botswana was 20.8%, which corresponds to approximately 329,000 adults living with HIV. HIV prevalence was 26.2% among females and 15.2% among males.
The prevalence of HIV among children aged 0â€14 years in Botswana was 0.8%, which corresponds to approximately 5,600 children living with HIV.
Prevalence of VLS among adults aged 15â€64 years living with HIV in Botswana was 91.8%: 94.0% among females and 88.1% among males
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.