Marathon tour for HIV survivor

WINDHOEK- The longest-known HIV survivor in the world arrived inWindhoeklast week on Friday after cycling for charity through the Erongo Region following marathon cycling tours to Caprivi and Kavango regions. He is now heading south.

Sixty-two-year-old Andre Van Zyl took three days to travel from Erongo toWindhoekvia Okahandja where he also addressed scores of learners.

Van Zijl, a former teacher, is from Knysna in theWestern Cape,South Africaand is on a series of charity tours that’s taken him to different schools across the country in support of the Global HIV/AIDS Prevention Awareness campaign.

So far, he has spent seven days altogether in the Caprivi and Rundu. He also spent six days inWalvis Bayand Swakopmund and altogether he’s covered a marathon 5000 km on a bicycle, and talks to learners about HIV/AIDS prevention methods along the way.

He started the charity programme on 16 December last year and intends to conclude his backbreaking tour on 16 December this year, taking a year on the road.

His tour includes giving lessons on HIV infection, abstinence, eating healthy as well as encouraging people to love themselves and make good choices in life.

“People must learn to love themselves and be able to choose life than drugs and sex,” he advised.

 Talking to New Era on Friday upon arrival inWindhoek, he expressed the wish to raise funds through cycling and other activities to help build homes amongst other things, for orphans and vulnerable children in six Southern African countries. The countries areNamibia,South Africa,Swaziland,Lesotho,ZambiaandMozambique.

He has competed in many cycling races including his fourth race with the Power Line Africa cycling team, which took place inWindhoekover the weekend.

“I like telling people to abstain rather than using condoms and I don’t like giving out condoms as it encourages kids to go out and have sex,” he says.

Van Zijl has travelLed to different regions and his longest trip was to the Caprivi Region. It took him a week to get there.

However, his trips have not been a smooth walk in the park as he encountered a lot of criticism during the tours.

Some people were negative as they showed lack of interest in the topic of HIV/AIDS. This however did not discourage him in pursuing his dream to do everything possible to provide to the needy.

He added that the public and family members should stop being judgmental and rather give support to people living with HIV/AIDS, as this will help them to open up. When fear is gone, so too will the stigma go.

He is grateful to the people and different guesthouses and lodges for their love, care, hospitality and cooperation during his tours.

Equally, he applauded school principals in the different regions who gave him the opportunity to talk to their learners even without any prior appointment or arrangements.

In addition, he advised other cyclists out there to be careful of cars when they are on the road.

He also pleaded with motorists, especially truck drivers, to consider cyclists on the road by giving them their right of way and to respect their presence.

He appealed to those who want to help to deposit their contributions at any ABSA Bank at: Global Aids Prevention, Account No: 9040821382 and for any enquiries to contact Van Zijl on the following numbers +264 81808 1100/ 078 0254 143.

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