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HIVA! an unlikely superhero |
Who's
HIVA?
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HIVA is a new cartoon character developed by THRU. HIVA is a social representation of the HIV virus. That means, HIVA represents, not what the virus does inside our bodies, but how humans behave and interact because of the existence of the virus. HIVA was launched at THRU's World Aids Day 2003 event at the Beach Road Studios, Sea Point. For more details check out our Projects Page. He's since been featured in the second "Laugh it Off" Annual and the 3rd volume of Itch Magazine from Bell-Roberts Gallery. |
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The Concept |
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Helen Fernand, the Projects Manager of THRU, wanted to develop a cartoon strip which featured the HIV virus. So HIVA was conceptualised! In order to communicate easier with the virus, HIVA has been taken out of the positive people and made him live amongst them as another member of the household. This makes it impossible for the flatmates to live in denial of their status. It also helps with the deconstruction and analysis of societal responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Stigma and discrimination are directly targeted by not making HIVA a monstrous character, but one which we can grow to understand, accept and find the most empowering way for positive people to co-exist with him. In these regards, HIVA tackles the human rights dynamic of the pandemic. |
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Persons living with HIV/AIDS |
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| The housemates represent a diverse collection of people, so hopefully readers will find someone to relate to. Those living with HIV/AIDS encounter resistance and support in the strangest of places. | ||
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For example, Thembi's child was once refused entry to a crèche because the parents of the other children feared the child, who does not live with HIV/AIDS, would transmit the virus to their children. Romeo, the DJ's career is intrinsically tied up with his personal popularity, so he faces a daily dilemma of how to deal with living with HIVA? who to tell? and how to maintain his position as a "player" without jeopardising anyone's health? |
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Thembi:
student & single mother |
Romeo:
Unemployed graduate & night club DJ |
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June, as a white professional, never dreamed she would end up living with HIVA and few people she meets in her office suspect it likely that she does. However, she has discovered her Human Resource Manager to be a wonderful support to her. Mr Bishop - a man who thought "safe sex" was when his wife didn't find out about his latest affair - must now communicate to his teenage children condom use and not going all the way!!! |
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Mr
Bishop:
Divorced business man |
June: |
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HIVA may seem very urban, but he will travel around. For example, he'll be visiting relatives in other parts of the country, starting with Butterworths in the Eastern Cape. He'll also accompany Sasha on her foreign trips, which will give us an opportunity to see how HIV/AIDS issues are being tackled by other nations. Current debates will be raised. We are now working on a strip where June bumps into the man who infected her. This leads to an exploration of the Sexual Offences Bill which will turn consensual sex into rape in the eyes of the law if one does not declare one's positive status to a sexual partner. |
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Ironically this law, which aimed to give women criminal redress against men that infect them (it being more difficult for men to contract HIV from women than vice versa), is being criticised by women's organisations how fear the law will be used against women more than men because more women in South Africa know their status due to routine testing in clinics, so it is only the women who are aware of their status. |
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Some pages from the comic strip Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5
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by telephone
or fax on: +27 (0)21 422 3841 or by post
to: transformative
human rights unit If you would like to make a donation to support THRU's work, please deposit it in THRU's Bank Account and forward the details to us in order that we can indicate our gratitude personally: ABSA
Bank - Adderley Street Branch
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Sasha:
