In a world often tainted by the shadows of prejudice, Bishop Prof. Mbulelo Dyasi and his wife, Reverend Chaplin Chumisa Dyasi, stand tall as a testament to the extraordinary power of love. Their story, shared exclusively with Positive Magazine, is not just a chronicle of love overcoming personal obstacles but a powerful narrative of resilience, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers associated with HIV.
Their journey transcends the boundaries of stigma associated with HIV, delving into the complexities of love beyond the diagnosis.
Their paths converged at the Steve Biko Foundation Youth Conferences, where Prof. Mbulelo, grappling with his HIV diagnosis from 2003, found an unexpected ally in Rev Chumisa. A member of the National Association of People Living with HIV then, she became his friend, mentor, and counselor during the challenging period of his life, marked by a divorce and testing HIV positive. “I introduced him to HIV treatment literacy and primary HIV education. We were both facing stigma growing up, but silently, because people knew our powerful families in the Christian faith,” she explains.
In the crucible of adversity, their bond deepened, and love blossomed.
Rev Chumisa, too, had her own experiences with stigma. She and Prof. Mbulelo faced silent discrimination, where opportunities were withheld to them, due to their HIV statuses. They had to leave their province of birth, the Eastern Cape. However, even after they left the province, they continued to experience silent stigma.
Despite these challenges, the couple remained steadfast, refusing to surrender to societal prejudices. They delved into HIV treatment literacy and primary HIV education, becoming advocates against bad science and demanding more research on HIV. Their resilience propelled them to become academics in the Christian faith and spiritual chaplains, breaking barriers within the religious sector.
Yet, their commitment to the cause came at a cost. Rev Chumisa recounts the loss of her sister-in-law, Ms. Noluthando Dyasi. A local NGOs refused to support them. It was a harsh reminder of the silent battles fought outside the realm of HIV advocacy.
Amidst the struggles, Rev Chumisa and Prof Mbulelo offers a perspective on life beyond HIV. They encourage those living with HIV and other conditions to actively engage in nation-building programs, not limiting themselves to HIV-focused initiatives. Their belief in the liberation of this “revolution” lies in supporting each other as partners while equipping oneself with knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to communities.
It goes without saying that their love story goes beyond the conventional narrative, weaving threads of courage, love, and resilience into the fabric of their lives. Prof. Mbulelo and Rev Chumisa stand as beacons of hope, challenging societal norms and advocating for a world where love transcends the boundaries of stigma, embracing the beauty of life beyond HIV.
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