Mr, Miss HIV Midlands crowned

Miss HIV Midlands - Rumbi Masvaure

The Zimbabwe National Network for People living with HIV (ZNNP+) marked the World International Aids Day with a unique pageant encouraging disclosure of HIV status by those suspected to be carrying the virus.

The Mr and Miss HIV pageant was also aimed at encouraging positive living among people living with the pandemic in the region.

Macharangwanda

The event saw five contestants walking away with prizes at Gweru Civic Centre as part of the commemorations.

Joseph Mazivisa was crowned Mr HIV, while Rumbidzai Masvaure walked away with the Miss HIV crown.

Agreement Macharangwanda won the youth category and the mother-daughter duo of Laura and Tsungai Zvakurumbira also won prizes at the pageant.

The competition was categorised into a youth, middle-aged, golden girls and boys segments.



The ZNNP+ Midlands provincial coordinator, Moses Chananuka, commended the participants for raising awareness and fighting stigma among people living with HIV/Aids.

“A lot of people are now comfortable to disclose their HIV statuses after seeing the contestants,” said Chananuka.

“Disclosure is a good stride towards acceptance that HIV is not a death sentence”.

Provincial medical director, Milton Chemhuru said that HIV disclosure through such events will help increase life expectancy.

ZNNP+ has been running Mr and Miss HIV contests since 2005 and the national contest is set for this month.

Gweru residents commended the contest, saying people need to be educated on living positively in an environment of stigma.- Daily News