iThemba [Film]

This is a 60 minute documentary about hope and resistance in the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa. It chronicles the Sinikithemba Choir's journey from Durban, South Africa to Boston to perform at an international AIDS conference.

Made up of 30 HIV positive South Africans, the Sinikithemba Choir's mission is to advocate for the more than five million HIV positive people in South Africa in need of hope and resources in their fight against HIV. The guide throughout the film is Zinhle Thabethe, an HIV positive, 26 year old, choir member, single mother and HIV/AIDS counselor from Durban, South Africa.

According to the producers, "Zinhle carries with her an unfaltering belief in the value of each human life and a sincere desire that someday every HIV+ person in Sub-Saharan Africa will be receiving the treatment they so desperately need. Because of her eloquence and the strength of her simple message iThemba focuses primarily on Zinhle, and is ultimately a portrait of her life and her continuing battle with HIV - in her own family and in her community."

Produced by: iThemba Film Project
Date of Production: May 2004