AIDS expert at NZ Development conference

Sekai Nzenza Shand, once a sponsored child, will speak at a development conference in Palmerston North about the devastation caused by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

A writer, academic and executive, Sekai trained as a nurse at Great Ormond Street in London. She holds a PhD in Political Science from The University of Melbourne. She is currently an Executive Associate for Advocacy and Communications for World Vision Australia.

Sekai is passionate and determined about her work. “We don’t know how to cure HIV,” she says, “But we do know it can be prevented.” Education and tackling the causes of poverty – a major contributing factor to the spread of the disease – are key issues she promotes.

Sekai’s journey into the world arena as an activist and advocate began in a tiny village. Her father was a teacher in a missionary school and lived in a modern house, up the hill from a ‘village’ consisting of a hut, a corrugated iron building and a granary. The family had beds and used pit latrines, rarely used at the time.

When Sekai’s mother became concerned that her husband would leave the family, taking his wealth with him, she arranged to pay a dowry of cows so that he could take a second wife. It enabled her to ensure that all of her children could receive an education.

Sekai went to university in Zimbabwe and was able to go onto further education in Great Britain and at Melbourne University. Some of her brothers and sisters work in Europe and America.

Sekai lives permanently in Australia now, with her husband, a journalist, and their children. Although she visits Africa and Zimbabwe regularly, she doesn’t believe she will ever live there again. But she hasn’t abandoned her past.

“The strength and humour of the people give me hope. From Australia, Africa seems tragic but it isn’t like that when you are there. Their humour allows them to go on – despite the poverty and hardship.”