iThemba (Hope)

The choir uses a blend of traditional Zulu and gospel music to move their audience to action in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The documentary is a story of the Sinikithemba Choir's journey to the United States to perform at an international AIDS conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The guide through the events in the film is Zinhle Thabethe, a 26-year-old, HIV-positive member of the choir. It is a portrait of Zinhle, her determination, her hope, and her strong desire for all HIV-positive South Africans to receive the treatment and care they need.

"Since being diagnosed as an AIDS patient in 2002, Zinhle has suffered through bouts with opportunistic infections such as thrush, pneumonia and tuberculosis. Just over 18 months ago Zinhle faced the prospect of her own death when she was unable obtain the necessary treatment for acute meningitis. Sick and in bed for over three months, Zinhle had all but given up hope of recovery.

But through the intervention of a neighbour and by providing a false identity Zinhle was able to secure a prescription for the necessary medicine. Though essentially a stranger to her, this same neighbour literally carried Zinhle on her back to an HIV clinic that was opening in the area.

Because of the glimmer of hope that this stranger provided and in spite of her weakened state Zinhle found it within herself to volunteer at the HIV clinic. Her determination eventually paid off when the clinic finally opened and Zinhle became one of 90 people in a community of almost 800,000 infected persons to receive access to Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) for her HIV."

Click here to watch the film online.

HIV/AIDS

"iThemba (Hope) captures Zinhle and the Sinikithemba Choir's ability to impart their own hope and determination to those fortunate enough to hear their music and come into contact with their spirit."

The organisers say that, for the choir members, the film is their chance to bring their message to a global audience and that, for scientists and activists, it is an opportunity to listen to the plea and see first-hand the strength of the people they are working to help.