HIV is a huge problem in Swaziland and public education to change people's habits and thinking is everywhere. Free condoms are widely distributed and even female condoms were available on a counter at the border crossing back into South Africa. Meanwhile, we were told that a very high South African government official who allegedly had sex with a prostitute was quoted as saying he was not worried about catching HIV because he took two showers afterward. Consequently, cartoons lampooning the official show a shower head growing out from the top of his head.
Last night a white American missionary who has spent the last 9 years in Swaiziland with his wife and children addressing the aids problem spoke to our tour group. It was extremely interesting. He told us that government figures state that about 28% of the population has HIV, but he believes the actual figure could be closer to 40%. However, he stated that if you have to have HIV, Swaziiland is the country to have it in because the government provides free testing and medicines to everyone. Because this policy decision consumes so much of the country's health care budget, the result is that the
rest of the health care system is practically non-existent. For example, there are no facilities in the entire country for treating breast cancer. Unless a patient can afford treatment in South Africa, essentially an impossibility for most people, they receive no treatment.
We spent the afternoon at a recreation of a traditional Zulu village, learning about customs and traditions of the culture. Bruce was "recruited" to perform with the dancers. We suspect that he was picked because he was the youngest looking man sitting in the front row.
The hotel rooms are lovely, but the internet signal is elusive. We feel like we've won the lottery if we connect. Here's some photos from the Zulu village.
Nice moves, Bruce!
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