Private decisions, public results
07/04/2011 # 08:23 # Impressing - entertainment and lifestyle # 44 Comments
Imagine this: you are indulging in a passionate kiss and as the heat urges you to pull your zip down or un-hook your bra, a powerful voice warns: “You are about to enter a sexual network filled with lies, deceit, half-truths and uncertainty with people you have no idea about – not even the one you are about to sleep with”.
I guarantee that you would have both shoes on, ran to the nearest church and contemplated a life of abstinence or celibacy. Besides being the most discussed status update on Facebook every Tuesday night from 20:30, Intersexions has proven to have had a lasting effect on its viewers.
From the very first episode, people were left at the edge of their seats as the credits indicated an untimely end after a mere 30 minutes. There is no other programme that has revolutionized “the talk about the birds and the bees” more than this one. HIV/AIDS, unprotected sex and effective condom usage are topics no longer met with rolling eyes and fake yawns by the youth – which have been reported to be the majority carriers of the prevalent disease.
“It is not about who you have slept with. It is who your partners have slept with” is the chilling opening line that forces you into a dark moment of introspection of your sexual history. As if that line was not haunting enough, paranoia sets in as our prejudices about who ‘looks’ like they are infected are wiped out, as the actual source of the viral network stems from a ‘happily’ married lawyer instead of the promiscuous pimp DJ Mo. So yes, HIV does not only belong to the illiterate and impoverished but the intellectual elites as well.
Considering the contentious drama and non-linear plot used, the writers would have been forgiven in focusing too much on the riveting storyline and neglecting the facts. This adds to its excellence as the educative function about sex and HIV/AIDS was constantly maintained.
Intersexions is a fusion of thought-provoking content, brilliant acting and a memorable didactic script. Previous educational programmes and campaigns like Soul City, Love Life and It Begins With You achieved their goal in introducing the sex talk in our homes, taxi chats and odd midnight chill sessions but the relevance and ground-breaking effect that Intersexions has had is unprecedented and unmatched.
Sex is no longer about how many panties prince-charming has let slip along with Cinderella’s dignity nor about Snow White bedding all the seven dwarves in search of true love. Sex has become a private decision to be deeply contemplated because its results will be publicly exposed. All of a sudden my mother’s random rantings about ‘safe sex’ and desperate pleas to take care of myself now resonate deeply with me.
Democracry has glorified individuality and that is appreciated but the spirit of ubuntu beckons us to remember: “I am who I am because you are” which highlights the powerful link that connects us to each other. We have a social responsibility to think further than ourselves and realise that today’s one-night stand or tiresome excuse about “we trust each other” could very well send you knocking at death’s door or joining endless queues at government clincs waiting to fill your next ARV prescription – for the rest of your life!
Here’s to petitioning for the next season of Intersexions.
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Beautiful and so true. Intersexions was and still is extremely relevant. We are interlinked, whether it be sexually or in any other form. It is important that we then “think further than ourselves”…
Forward with effective consciousness forward!!!
It’s a great piece, Tanyani. Intersexions is a powerful series. I finally managed to watch it this week. One of our MA students, Andiswa, is writing her dissertation on the programme. She just forwarded me this email which seems to be doing the rounds:
MY NAME IS HIV
I have a place to stay in the human body; I sometimes stay in a hotel called digestive juices, or a motel called blood or brothel called Feme ekgolo. But mostly in a restaurant called sperm. Everybody knows me! Yebo, yes! I am HIV, the son of AIDS and I was born in one human body during unsafe sex, but I multiplied like a bull. You may ask the rich, the poor, Blacks, Whites, males, females, doctors, sangomas. They all know me very well as my young brother STD. I attack hundreds of people all over the world every day. Listen, I will take you one by one, especially those who hate my Uncle condom. I will take you to decorate my grave. You will die young. Africa knows me, the whole world knows me. I am HIV, son of AIDS. I frequent shebeens and bar lounges and I respect no age. I hide between sexy legs and delicious thighs and big buttocks. Some call me: Vigs, SIDA, Z3, Koloi ya Elia, Phamokate, Bioslim, Number1, Matsatsela, Manyonyoba, Thubalebotsane and other silly names but I don’t care, because my name is: HIV son of Aids and I have no friends.
I kill Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Teachers, Priests, Professors, Ministers, Bishops, Street Sweepers and I have got no shame. I will drink your blood, suck your juices, drain your fat until you are a living skeleton and from there I will kick you to the grave. You men fasten your trouser belts. You women don’t loosen your panties and G-Strings because I am watching you. The only way you can beat me is to be accompanied by my uncle Condom whom I hate so much. He is the only one who can try to defeat me. Mothers hear me, Fathers hear me, Brothers hear me, Sisters hear me, Intellectuals hear me, Stupids hear me, Retards hear me, Clever hear me and I am telling you for the last time.
“My name is HIV and I have got no friends”. After reading this you must know I am sitting next to you and just one blunder I am going to consume you. Who knows, I may already be in your blood system so go right now and take blood tests, but if you are always in the company of my Uncle Condom you need not worry. My name is HIV son of AIDS and I have no friends!!!
Keep passing this message on!!
I loved Intersexions. I think it was particularly effective and enthralling because it was so real. Anyone and evryone could resonate with all the various characters. I won’t lie even I was scared into going for a test after tuesdays episode. I really do hope there’ll be a second season
I have to admit, i would probably fall within the minority of South Africans who were not captivated by the hit drama series Intersxions – simply because I struggled to find time to sit down and watch the show. But I would also have to concede though, that judging by the stream of Tacebook and Twitter updates that flooded the internet after a single episode that its impact on South African viewers has been enormous.
I am reminded of when the drama series Yizo Yizo first hit the screens and how it caused chaos in our family room between my mother – a traditionalist who believed sex-talk was “big-people talk” and my then teenage sister who “knew” her rights – the drama series managed to engage our whole family and cross societal boundaries because HIV/AIDS is undeniably real.
A point of interest to me however would be to understand how an HIV+ person felt after watching Intersexions with their family. Suppose for a moment that they were able to identify with one of the characters; I wonder how they felt after watching their not-so-distant past being played out on national tv…in their family room? Would they feel condemned? Would they feel judged? Would they feel exposed?
This again is testament of how a private decision, made in the “confines” of two consenting adults can have public repercussions.
At least in our family room the only thing that was exposed was my teenage sisters forwardness and nothing earth-shattering.
*Great article buddy*
Great to hear it also provoked thought in people who didn’t even watch it!
Thanks buddy
Great piece Tanya and spot on! All these other Aids/ sex education programmes have never managed to reach the level of education yet entertainment that intersextions has. Finally the reality of HIV and Aids and the dangers of unsafe sex have been communicated in a way that sticks and enduces change. There is just no escaping the reality presented in each episode that “It is not just about who you have slept with, it is who your patners have slept with”. Just hearing that man’s voice sends shivers down my spine whooo
As much as Intersexions captivated us on its finale, so does your article.
Its sad that most chose to ignore the reality of HIV/Aids, and only focused on the sexual pleasures they desired. That it took the last episode to convince the youth the hard hitting facts of this disease.
Your article hopefully will be another eye opener for most. At the rate things are going in our country, we need as much eyes opened…soon.
Love, love ur writing, always did.
Well done.
Good writing. I’m caught between commenting on your growth as a writer or the topic.
Now I never watched a lot of the show just 3 episodes is all I saw but I must say Zanenkosi (creator) and Rolie (director) got television right. They made a show that opened the door and lifted the veil of our mouths about a topic personally I don’t like talking about.
But I was left wondering, did we really talk about the topic at hand or did we converse on the characters and the sub-theme, Relationships? I feel as if once again we avoided talking about the disease and how it affects or has affected us. I feel the conversation became more about what Mandisa should do and who should leave Dj Mo and blah blah but did I go get tested afterwards? I guess I’m asking what have we done with the challenge the show has left us with? I’m asking did we dump somebody? Did we stop cheating? Are we now using condoms more? What have we done with the message that HIV has posed to us? How are changing?
Or were we just thrilled by good quality of entertainment?
Yizo Yizo exposed the reality of crimes happening in our schools and the biggest being drugs but here we are today 10yrs later, almost once every month Deborah Patta or Special Assignment deals with the issue of drugs in our schools.
Are these shows dying away as mere entertainment shows or are they truly challenging to impact a generation?
Its up to us as viewers, the artist have done their work as commentators of our lives.
You already have said enough about my writing lol thanks Lilli. Brilliant questions but from what I hear, which of course I cant verify, people have thought twice before engaging in sexual activities. Intersexions has placed the individual into a pool of diseases amongst other grotesque things we have chosen to ignore which I think is mission accomplished. There is still a lot to be done in our generation but you know once you have influenced or transformed one’s mind you have affected the whole person and the lives of that around them.
A well written piece Ms Daku. Intersexions was intriguing and developmental to the youth with regards to knowledge and awareness about the discreteness and yet huge impact as well the web that sex and HIV creates. One can only hope that the youth has learned a lot from the programme and will apply that into curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Further, hope that it will also promote responsible sexual engagement. Kaofela!!!
simple ,informative and to the point .To an extent it(the article)expressed the somewhat general feelings of the many followers of the popular programme who are after all the ordinary folk.although I had the misfortune of nt watching all the episodes,it is the ones that i did watch that the simple realities of how simple ignorance has driven the continued existance of this pendamic.The article is a well diserved ecknowledgement for the show ,as it was able to place talkin about responsible sex a trendy topic right up there with Paris Hiltons ingrownn nail and the proteas.Great work Tanya loved the article .yes there must be a second season.
The article is was well executed,well scripted and too the point,it covered most the angles presented in the show.well done for playing your role against this socio-ecomic struggle,article is outstanding(except the part of hearing you voice when i read the article lol) congrats on your first piece of work and indeed hiv\aids has a voice,guess its time to listen
hey babe… nice one! Intersexionz really was thought provoking. it’s just really sad that these kind of topics fizzle out and get taken over by emotions and lust… and then back to square one, its like We as the youth don’t think that such a thing could happen to Us, its as though in our minds it happens on TV…
So sad because we want the pleasure but not the responsibility and consequences that comes with it…
Guess real question will always be “Who have you slept with” and not how many.. there have been people that have gotten the virus from first sexual encounter… Can we maybe go back to the days of being uncool and abstain till the right time…
Nice piece… Peace
To say I love your work is an understatement … Your piece is young, yet matured. You’ve tackled your subject matter from all sides of life. From start to finish you keep us wanting to know more about your thoughts. In a few words you told your story. No beating around the bush. We get the point. You don’t preach. You tell us what you want us to know. Great work. Breath of fresh air …
Personally, I haven’t been afforded the opportunity to watch this much spoken about series. However, I have gathered, through the very elaborate commentaries on facebook, the essence of Intersexions. Its amazing how a life can begin and end in one moment of pleasure: as one passes through the passage of womenhood.
We are all part of one big whole. Intersexions has got an entire body of young people talking and it excites me to even think the power that rests in the change of a few mindsets. We are yet to conquer this angel of death that lurks upon the future of our country.
Well done Tanyi, your piece was well versed. Your article speaks to me and I can see your understanding of the topic. It is a sensitive topic which you have managed to break down. Your article us very straight to the point, with gorgeous little details that keep me wanting more. You were not bias; you are unpacked the topic from all angles, also making us aware of some thoughts we had overlooked.
I can’t wait for your next article.
Like Mzwandile,I too fall in the small group of people who didn’t watch “Interxections”,but felt as if I had because of all the comments that flooded facebook.but most of all I liked the way it would spark conversations-amoungst friends-that were constructive and informing as to meaningless one’s.Your article is spot on and did the series much justice.I’m sure that even the creator of the epic series would agree with me on that.I enjoyed reading your article-WELL DONE!
WORLD,WATCH OUT FOR TANYANI DAKU!
I’m really proud of the young woman you’ve become and looking forward to the woman you are going to be. I’ve read the article about 18 times and each time I’m more and more impressed and inspired by it. All of us are very proud of u, Thank you- love u and keep up the great job young lady. Mbha!
In all of her 23 years she has done nothing bt joke abt me bt now I know it was only to keep me working harder n remain humble. My sister, ladies and gentlemen! Thanks n love u more:)
A whole lota piple gon b losing booty calls partners cause of damn Intersexion,,,aint dat about a moffo, truth be told that that was one of my first thoughts when I watched intersexion. However there is one important factor that Intersexion brilliantly highlited but ddnt get much attention, that finding relations based on virtue is one of the most effective way to prevent the spread of HIV and pre-mature death from the Disease.
Nerd at the Kool table has spoken,,,,
Amazing piece hey, brilliant staff, I have seen a few episodes and agree that it really has had an impact, after reading this piece I am convinced I should spare my 30 minutes in watching this highly discussed program. I really agree that it adresses the topics which are done to death, in a very fresh and new light.
Intersexions moved the whole country. And this article is very well written. I fully support the petition of a second season of INTERSEXIONS. MY NAME IS HIV SON OF AIDS I HAVE NO FRIENDS!!!!!
A very good observation young lady, and I really hope that every South African youth and adult really observed how quickly “trust” can get you into the most life threateneing of situations.
One of the key points for me about Intersexions was a reminder for women and men to be more selfish about their bodies.
Keep up the good work, and spread the word to stop HIV/Aids spread on it’s tracks.
I really hope that SABC will continue the series. It’s a message that this country cannot hear enough about.
I personally would have loved to see a focus on the grandparents, aunts&uncle’s, extended family, and Aids orphans; as some of the ripple effects of a family members that are left to take care of the babies& children left behind.
Keep blogging sisi!!
Very cool article! Insightful.
Induging yourself in the riskiest behaviour possible has a tendancy to bring on fear and regret when waiting for HIV test results.It forces you to re-live every sexual experience, scruitinise every partner and their unknown parners and what they could possibly be carrying in their blood (and semen). You re-live those kisses, touches and carefree moments when deciding to go ahead- with or without protection and ask yourself if any of it was worth your dreams, goals and aspirations.
That’s the scariest thing in one’s life! An hour of carelessness in the name of being young becomes darkly haunting in that one minute of waiting for results…That should be incentive enough I think
Ag! I`m just swollen with pride Tanya. Big up girl.
Well written article Miss Daku.You are an inspiration to your generation.I marvel at the good work which God has begun in your life and I know that you are called for greater works.You have the qualities of Daniel and Esther.I love that.May the Lord continue to bless you my sister and increase you.All that you touch will be blessed.Stay being a blessing in your generation.
this is a very insightful article. putting so much emphasise on a topic that may be viewed as taboo but cant be talked about enough. great stuff girl keep the juices flowing:)
Wow, what a riveting and eye openning peace. how inspiring to know that our generation is not a total loss when it comes to tackling issues that not only affect our own lives but the live of those around us. it is taking action that we are able to shape our futures and in sharing ideas that we are able to grow….thank you for your contribution miss Daku =)
this show could not benefit me in anyway as i could not relate whats worse is it has the potential to create paranoia. Although I did not watch intersexions out of choice, I am persuaded after reading this article that the show was necessary for the greater society good work Ma. phb
Great piece, so thoughtful. Love the title.
Wow! tanya awesome, thought provoking stuff! the way you right, caught me from line 1. proud of you girl!
Well Done Tanyani, Im very proud of you and happy to see that you are a grown up lady now and know all about this dangerous pandemic that is crippling young people.Keep up the good work of making others aware of the dangers they put themselves in. From Granny Clara:)
Hi Tanya, beautiful piece. Keep on righting mamma…Excellent work…Hola
Sho Zinyo I have read the piece that you have written about HIV/aids.You have touched base on the important points about your understanding of the whole issue about HIV/AIDS.Good job.Please write about Sugar Diabetes,High Blood,T.B and cancer as they are also deadly deseases.
I wrote a quick piece about Intersexions and its word frequency graph – Intersexions and Twitter: 30000 Tweet analysis of @intersexions. http://bit.ly/TwitterIntersexions featuring @khayadlanga @trevorgumbi
The whole show has been a great exercise in great execution with a great team and cast. I had. I have been collecting some emperical data on Intersexions. The first being a 30000 tweet data haul. You can read my short blog post on it: Intersexions and Twitter: 30000 Tweet analysis of @intersexions. Link http://beyond.vima.co.za/2011/04/intersexions-and-twitter/
Hi Tanya very inspiring article ,will god give you the necessary strength and powerful mind so that you can continue to talk to our youth about different challenges in life.Keep up the good work girl.Love U Lots.
True story! Intersexions was a proper eye-opener of how close this epidemic is to each one of us- its not an urban myth or restricted to the ‘irresponsible’ bunch only… nobody can be trusted anymore! To celibacy… *here, here!* Lol!
Leaves you with alot to think about – hugely insightful!
hi tanya,Intersexions was an eye-opener of how close this epidemic is to each and every one of us. This is a story which makes one take precaution measures at all times. your article is very inspiring and powerful. keep up the good work.
Baby gal, to think that u r the product of my friend (yo Mom) is absolutely HUMBLING. This is AWESOME. U have given new meaning to ‘ufuzo luyagqithisa’. I truly LOVE this article, it has such innocence and yet it hits you with truth. the kind of innocence that we r desperately crying to God to restore to the young gals and young boys of our beloved Country South Africa – Father God restore the age of INNOCENCE and PURITY!!! Beyond this, I have nothing to say, my tears say it all, unfortunately I cannot attach them in this comment!! well done Tanya, I am extremely proud of you…extremely proud. Continue to be the VOICE of conscience among your peers, even if u become the lone voice, be the voice of conscience none the less and pay the price that comes with it, at the end u will have your great reward from the One who mapped out your destiny and purpose. Live for the audience of One! U r not alone…
Thought provoking with adequate momentum to change the mindsets of individuals who may have thought otherwise. Challenges perspective ( in agreement it is enhanced, in disagreement, transition is prompted). Love the writing Tanya, solid and resolute!!
The whole ‘sex’ scope is not only explored in film and television but also in the theatre to a greater extent, especially during the Wits School of Art Drama For Life Sex Actually Festival taking place during the end of this quarter (31st August and 09 September). This festival focuses on cross-community HIV and AIDS arts education, activist and therapuetic intervention. It seeks to interrogate how we engage or disenage aroung the complex topics of sex,sexuality, sexual orientation, relationships and of course HIV and AIDS. What is interogatted then is formely expressed and explored through various mediums, be it exhibitions, performances,workshops or physical theatre,which take place at the Wits theatre on East Capmus, the UJ Kingsway Arts Centre, the Hillbrow Theatre and various other locations.
For More info you can contact me at cindy.dladla@students.wits.ac.za