That's one of the goals of the Sekusile Social Movement: to restore the lost "ubuntu," a Zulu word signifying community harmony, respect of humanity and a tradition of mutual responsibility.

The group feels a changing society - the creep of Western influences and rural migration - shattered ubuntu, forcing men to work away from their families and mothers to work longer hours. This breakdown in moral guidance and traditional leadership has put gender roles in conflict. A loss felt more severely by men who have felt emasculated by emerging women's rights and poverty.

"It has troubled us very much," says Themba Goba, 33, one of the organizers of the group. "Men felt like there was no future and that their life was cheap. With poverty, boredom and alcoholism, there was little communication or respect in sexual relationships."

Goba says some men contract the HIV virus from male-to-male rape, which one government report said effected one out of five males, and from prostitutes and then pass it on to their wives and girlfriends.

Sekusile does not advocate discarding all cultural and tribal practices. The group believes traditional healers, chiefs and priests can become a part of the solution with the help of AIDS education and training aimed at reducing the risk of spreading HIV transmission.

Goba, and the others, all volunteers for Sekusile, held an abstinence march for HIV awareness and men's involvement in early August. It drew more than 600 participants, including the head of the South African Health Department. "We see ourselves as ambassadors," Goba says. "Men can grow up and stand up against HIV. It is time to go out and fight."

- Ervin Dyer

Ervin Dyer is a writer living in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he reports on health and Black American and African cultures. John Sankofa is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist specializing in minority healthcare.

Copyright Crisis Publishing Company, Incorporated Jan/Feb 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

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