Story by Providence Maraneli
COLLECTIVE community efforts and health interventions are yielding results in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South Province, where sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are showing a steady decline, particularly in mining communities once considered hotspots.
Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care indicates that STI cases in Mawabeni dropped from 271 last year to 210 this year, reflecting progress driven by increased awareness and behavioural change campaigns.
Health authorities and the National AIDS Council (NAC) have intensified engagement within artisanal mining areas, such as Habane, Mbalabala, and Nhlangano, where cases had previously been exacerbated by high mobility and unprotected sexual activity.
Artisanal miners say the ongoing health education and counselling sessions have transformed attitudes towards sexual health.
“For a long time we have been suffering in silence and in many cases we were shy to come up front with STIs, but now we are so open,” one artisanal miner said.
“These engagements are informative, and it has saved many youths here,” added a resident.
“We do not only talk about STIs but also other social issues like drug and substance abuse,” noted another community member.
According to Umzingwane District AIDS Coordinator, Mr Mdududzi Ngwenya, the NAC has rolled out several targeted interventions including male engagement initiatives, Sister-to-Sister programmes, and home visits, all aimed at promoting safe sexual behaviour and reducing new infections.
“Umzingwane has a large population of artisanal miners who sometimes engage in risky behaviour. Without intervention, we would have seen an increase in STIs and HIV cases. These programmes are crucial in changing that trajectory,” said Mr Ngwenya.
Although HIV, teen pregnancies, and early marriages remain a challenge in Matabeleland South province, NAC has made significant inroads in the fight against these challenges through campaigns like Not in My Village, Sister to Sister, Community Art Refill Group (CARG), and male engagement.
