Longest HIV/AIDS survivor speaks
Sharon Mathala | Friday January 10, 2014 17:44
This year he hopes to participate in more cycling events as well as visit all the countries that border his home country.Van Zijl believes he was infected with HIV in the late 1970s, but “by the grace of God”, is still alive. As usual van Zijl will continue to spread his message of hope for those affected by HIV/AIDS and resume his fundraising efforts for orphaned children throughout Southern Africa. Last year van Zijl says he collected R2 million (P1,635,520) for his favourite charities and hopes to double the amount this year.
“The only safe sex is to live according to the principles as laid down in the word of God”, reads a passage at the bottom of a small brochure he hands out. In 2012 van Zijl visited the Namibian coast to address high school learners on HIV and abstinence. “I was in Namibia before and I promised I would come back and speak to the children across Namibia,” he said.
After the coast, he cycled to Tsumeb, Grootfontein, then northward, and eventually to the Caprivi. According to him, while in Namibia he spoke to over 8,000 people. He says that his ‘mission’ started when he found out that he was infected. “I could have either committed suicide, but I felt I should do something for the society,” he says. By choosing the latter, he manages to reach out to millions of people around the world. “People must try not to get infected. Some governments are still in total denial when it comes to the disease and even believe that it is diminishing, but in South Africa alone they are burying 2,000 people per day. People don’t die of AIDS, but because of it. Should you be infected, live your life to the fullest but do not go around infecting. That’s why people should know their status,” says van Zijl.
What makes this man’s mission even more interesting is that he’s travelled by bicycle for over 40,000 kilometres, and is also holder of 39 officially recognised world records. His world records include climbing Table Mountain with roller-skates, playing chess for 150 hours, roller skating from London to Edinburg (900km) in seven days, devouring 150 pieces of sushi in 10 minutes, drinking 20 litres of milkshakes in four hours, and working a rowing machine for 100 hours. Van Zijl is quick to disclose that, “the fewer sexual partners one has, the less risk there is of contact with the virus”. He says that it is a great risk to have sex with people who have many sexual partners. “Never share razors, toothbrushes or any personal implements that could be blood contaminated and remember that the persons infected with the virus can be healthy for several years before they show any symptoms,” advises van Zijl.
He reminds us that there is no treatment or vaccination as yet for HIV/AIDS and that the only approach is to protect oneself by using condoms. He says that we should bear in mind condoms offer only 70% protection, which is not guaranteed.He says another option for safer sex is abstinence. “That is not having sex at all,” he says, adding that safe sex is with one faithful uninfected partner, caressing, hugging, masturbation - provided no sperm, vaginal fluid or blood enters a break in the skin and or mucous membranes. Moreover, van Zijl warns of risky unsafe behaviour, which he says includes unprotected sex without a condom, vaginal, anal sex with an infected person, oral, anal sex with a person who is an intravenous drug user and excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol. He says such behaviour can deplete the natural immune system. “Just don’t do it,” emphasises van Zijl adding that, “Remember a climax will only last six seconds. Is this worth dying for?”
Van Zijl, who is now in Botswana began his three-day test to break yet another world record by Skyping an astounding 100 hours non-stop. He has in the past broken 40 world records, including dancing non-stop for 345 hours. After his Skyping allocution, van Zijl will travel around Southern Africa in commemoration of Nelson Mandela who shares his birthday with the record breaker’s mother.
“This time I will be doing it to commemorate one of the world’s most iconic leaders, Nelson Mandela, born on the same day and same year,” he says.He says he intends to break at least one record per year for the remainder of his days in life. “I have been doing this for the better part of my life and it fulfils me. It is a part of me,” he says. He reveals to Mmegi that during his 100 hours of Skyping, he would be talking to celebrities, among them Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron, as well as many heads of state. Last year, Van Zijl was the first man in the world to talk on the phone for over 50 hours, an experience he cites as one of the best, yet tiring feats ever.
The URDB World Record for a Skype Video Chat is 13,909 minutes by Tian Enfield. Cassie Castellanos has a pending attempt measured at 15,689 minutes. Van Zijl is on his final day today. He was scheduled to Skype non-stop from Tuesday at 10am until today at 2pm. “I will have little sleep time and all will be photographed and videotaped throughout my escapade,” says an irrepressible van Zijl.What then should nature calls? “All will also be videotaped, the Skyping will not pause for anything. Even when I have to go to the bathroom, I’ll still be Skyping. I am very much determined to achieve this goal that I have set for myself,” he says.