Positively in Love
Aldron and Zanele Metiso have known each other since they were school kids growing up in the same community in Eswatini, a small nation in southern Africa. On this Valentine’s Day, they reflect on their 35 years together as husband and wife and rejoice at their happy life—including raising five children together.
“Valentine’s Day means that we will continue to be together and renew our love as we have been doing all these years,” says Zanele—with her husband adding that this is a day for them to get much closer to each other and to continue to support each other in their journey living with HIV.
Facing a Health Condition Together
Zanele was the first to be diagnosed with HIV. She learned about her status in 2012 when she went to a health facility for a minor illness.
At that time, because of stigma, it was common that men would respond angrily to news of an HIV-positive spouse, but in this case, the diagnosis brought the Metiso family closer.
Aldron says that when his wife returned with her test, he knew that she could be healthy because he had seen other people in the community take antiretroviral medication and live well. His reaction surprised Zanele.
“Instead of him being angry when I revealed the results, he became very supportive, which made me feel that I am loved and appreciated,” said Zanele, beaming with affection.
Although Aldron supported his wife, he remained reluctant to learn about his own HIV status.
“You know, we men are always afraid of going to a health facility,” says Aldron. “When my wife came with her HIV-positive results, I decided that I would not go to check [on my own status] because I was not sick and did not suspect anything about me being HIV-positive.”
It took Aldron five years to decide to test, and when he did finally go to the clinic, he learned that he, too, is living with HIV. Aldron wished that he had tested earlier, but he threw regrets aside and immediately began treatment, bolstered by how healthy his wife has been on her treatment.
Life and Love on Valentine’s Day
“We love each other, and we continue to provide support to each other,” says Zanele, adding that Valentine’s Day means bonding and sharing their love, while supporting each other to take their medication.
Aldron says that a couple bonds better when they know each other’s HIV status. He encourages other men to test for HIV and start medication if they test positive.
“With your HIV positive status, you can continue to live a successful and fulfilling life,” says Aldron.
The couple extolls the nurses at Nkhaba Clinic, a facility supported by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) in Eswatini’s Hhohho region.
“This is a very good couple, and we are proud of them,” says Antiretroviral Nurse Nothando Gama. She says that she has noticed that if a couple comes together to the clinic for their medication refills, their adherence tends to be high, resulting in HIV suppression.
“I wish them the best this Valentine’s Day as they continue to journey together,” exclaims Nurse Gama. “Their story is true love.”
“We love each other, and we continue to provide support to each other.” Zanele
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has been supporting the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini in the fight against pediatric HIV since 2004. It currently focuses on the Hhohho and Shiselweni regions, where it supports 78 health facilities. It is implementing the ASPIRE Project with funding from PEPFAR through USAID.
Muzi Yende
Eswatini
General
