Casestudy: Nathaniel and Beauty Mulele

There is a time for everything

Married for four years, Nathaniel (twenty seven) and Beauty (twenty) have one child, Nathaniel (after his father). They live in Lubosi where life is difficult with most people unemployed surviving through small scale business activities or cleaning or working as guards. Nathaniel and Beauty sell maize which they buy from farmers in Kaoma. They buy 50kg for K50,000, then divide it into small buckets which they sell for K10,000 in the market in Mongu.

In 2005, Nathaniel went for VCT in the clinic in Mongu. He tested positive. He was pessimistic at first but with counselling, he began to feel significant more positive but it took him two months to learn to cope with the situation. He is not on ARVs, but was given Septrine, a medication for infected men. Nathaniel and Beauty were not married when he went for testing but he did not tell her of the result until she found the papers he was given at the hospital. Beauty confronted him and while he expected her to be angry, instead she comforted him. Beauty stays with him because of the love she has for Nathaniel.

Beauty says she was very disappointed that he did not tell her about his status, but supported him anyway. She was pregnant when she found the papers so she went for VCT and was found to be negative. She went again after she gave birth and was still negative as is their baby. Beauty told her parents who were very supportive as they are also a discordant couple meaning that her father is positive and her mother is negative.

People in the community do not know of Nathaniel’s status, because he does not talk about it with them. He feels maybe now is the time for them to find out, saying that there is a time for everything. Nathaniel and Beauty feel that as human beings, they are entitled to a sex life and they use condoms routinely.

They argue that HIV and AIDS affects all of us in some way. If you are in a discordant relationship, this should not separate you. Couples should continue being together, because the love they have for each other will support them. Nathaniel believes women are more affected by the virus, because they are sexually vulnerable, especially due to the myth that sex with a young girl can cure AIDS. Also, too many women do not get to choose if they use a condom or not.

They feel that everyone has rights and that these rights should be upheld by the government and that all financial support given to tackle AIDS must reach those who need it most. Also, they feel strongly that there should be no discrimination in employment.

At present, Nathaniel is studying to become a mechanic at Mongu Trades School.