Mopani Junction is an entertaining radio serial drama produced by CDC Zimbabwe as part of a behavior change initiative to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. There are 104 25-minute episodes available in English, Shona, and Ndebele. The story’s focus is on the every day lives of a typical African family, the Gumbos. It is set in the small town of Mopani Junction, and a nearby village, Mopani Spings. The main characters are the younger generation of the fictional Gumbo family, facing the challenges of life: family conflict, gender issues, generational divisions, love and relationships, economic transitions, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the clash between westernization and traditional values and practices. By identifying with the characters in Mopani Junction, listeners learn to find the strength and vision to overcome the obstacles presented by HIV/AIDS.
Mopani Junction has six main story lines, each showing the main characters trying to adopt safer, healthier lifestyles. The patriarch of the clan is Thursday Gumbo, a traditionalist, determined to defend his rural lifestyle at Mopani Springs against a commercial developer. He faces challenges from the developer and within his own family when his daughter discovers she is HIV positive. Loveness, Thursday’s daughter, is a young woman escaping from an abusive husband, Misheck with her two children when she learns she is HIV positive. Benji, younger borther of Loveness is happily married to Blessing, but frustrated by the limited opportunities in Mopani Springs. He moves to the city against the wishes of his wife, seeking fortune. In the city he begins drinking and is tempted into extra-marital affairs.
Luckson, a nephew of Thursday, and his wife Noma live in Mopani Junction and are expecting their first child. Noma is encouraged to get tested for HIV at an antenatal checkup. Noma and Luckson must then learn to live with their positive status while raising their infant son, Jacob Junior.
Sphiwe, sister of Luckson, is a student at Mopani High School. She faces the expected pressures of boys who are interested in her, and girlfriends who are a bad influence. Sphiwe learns of the risks involved in sexual relationships through the misfortune of others and good advice from relatives. Josh, son of Thursday’s sister Sara, is a talented musician, fresh out of Mopani High School, and trying to pursue a music career in the city. His talent and good looks mean he has to fend off many female admirers in his search for a woman he truly loves.
Mopani Junction chellenges individuals, families, and communities to think, talk and move beyond awareness of HIV/AIDS by taking action to: abstain from sex or delay the initiation of sex, practice safer sex through mutual monogamy, practice safer sex through the correct and consistent use of condoms, seek HIV counseling and testing and live positively or stay negative, prevent the transmission of HIV to babies, seek treatment to prevent and treat AIDS-related illnesses, seek HIV/AIDS care and support services, and support people living with HIV/AIDS including caregivers and orphans.
“MOPANI JUNCTION” is a production of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Zimbabwe; Media for Development Trust; Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation; Zimbabwe Ministry of Health; Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC); Amakhosi; Moonlight Studios; Zimbabwe AIDS Network; and Tuku Music.
Questions and comments on the production and distribution of the Mopani Juction series can be directed to:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Zimbabwe; 38 Samora Machel Avenue; Harare, Zimbabwe. Phone: 263-4-796040 / Fax: 263-4-786032/E-mail: mopanijunction@zimcdc.co.zw / Website: http://www.mfd.co.zw. Date Updated: 12/21/2006.
Listen to Mopani Junction on HIV/AIDS|ZIMBABWE by clicking here.
