The AIDS pandemic has generated so much commentary in South Africa that its true and surprising impact can sometimes be overlooked: it is easy to forget that approximately 5.38 million people are living with HIV and that an average of 1,100 people die of AIDS every day (Statistical Release 3) (“AIDS FactFile” 2010). AIDS is a disease that we hear about but which is not really understood. Sindiwe Magona's novel, Beauty's Gift, presents realistic situations of problems caused by AIDS in South Africa. This essay will discuss Sindiwe Magona's approach to AIDS in the novel and how aspects such as Xhosa funerals, polygamy and marriage, as well as the ignorance of men in Xhosa culture contributed to the effects of AIDS and the South African context described in the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Sindiwe Magona uses an extremely direct and forward-thinking approach to AIDS in the Gift of Beauty. She hides neither the facts nor the truth and feels no embarrassment in confronting the problems linked to AIDS. Margaret von Klemperer said of Sindiwe Magona's approach to the AIDS pandemic: "She obviously thinks that people need to speak out on the AIDS issue, because only if the stigma is removed and if we can talk openly about the disease so that it can be controlled. » (Web “The Witness”). She does this through her characters and their actions. It makes the reader aware of the seriousness and reality of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa today. His intentions moving forward are purely educational. In an interview with Margaret von Klemperer, Magona said: "It's a book about our national shame, and it will make me enemies, but I wrote it because I am very, very angry. We must be honest and say that what is wrong is wrong. » (Web “The Witness”). Her novel, Beauty's Gift, has an educational goal for women and men. It aims to warn women that they may not be secure in their marriages and that they need to protect themselves: “Let's fight back! Don't let tricky gossip keep you from testing! Don't let it stop you from getting the medications you need! » (Magona 85). Its goal with men is to inform them about how AIDS is spread. , “Men who refuse to use condoms kill women!” » (Magona 70). She tries to make them aware of their actions and show them that they must take responsibility for what they do. Magona conveys the essence of her message, that women must protect themselves, through the main character of the novel, Beauty. Before her death, Beauty says: "Don't die a stupid death, like I do!" Live!" (74). This message urges her friends to make sure her wish comes true and they do so by making sure their relationships are safe. If more African women could be touched by Magona's message, South Africa would be a safer place for its children and women living there and fewer people would be affected by this deadly disease. The reader is extremely aware of AIDS and the large number of people affected at funerals. The story and the educational message would not have the impact they did if the funeral scenes were not in the book. The funeral scenes deal with sensitive topics that can be offensive but they are there only to raise awareness and educate the public. reader on aspects of African culture and the disease that destroys it Ms. Mazwi is an educational character deliberately placed in the.Magona's novel to warn the reader and convey a message. She is a guest speaker at one of Brother Sonti's funerals. His telling but true statement: “Very soon, all of our families will have at least one person infected with HIV. One, if we're lucky. “(85) Makes the reader aware of the number of people affected by the disease and the number of families torn apart because of AIDS. The funeral is also where most of the gossip is spread and where the reader begins to realize the ignorance of Xhosa men and their obscure ideas about AIDS. The ignorance of the African man is yet another aspect of the described South African context that Magona makes the reader aware of. Not only do these men ignore AIDS, but they also show no knowledge of how it is spread. This is demonstrated through the conversation between Moses, Cordelia and Gabula. Cordelia says "You're just assuming the twins were infected by their girlfriends." (Magona 69). Gabula responds with an uneducated statement: “Everyone knows this is how men get AIDS. » (Magona 69). These men do not realize that it is also their actions that spread the virus. It is easy for the African man to blame women or ignore the facts. They constantly deny the facts about AIDS, leading the reader to wonder if men refuse to change because the way they currently live is purely beneficial to them. When Cordelia suggests that women should protect themselves with condoms, she argues, "Using a condom is like eating candy with the wrapper on!" » (Magona 70). These men don't care about the safety of others, much less their own. As noted earlier, these men believe that only women can transmit AIDS, but they refuse to wear condoms and protect themselves. This assures the reader of the absurdity of these men's thoughts. “African men’s resistance to behavioral change is killing African women” (Shober 87). When will their mindset change? Or is this how South Africans must live, with constant fear of their men? Many African men are raised in a typical Xhosa culture, where not only are polygamy and illegitimate children considered normal, but they also demand sex from their wives and are the dominant figure in marriage. Magona makes it clear that she does not believe in polygamy and that it poses a health risk to both husband and wife. She believes that polygamy is responsible for the greatest number of deaths of innocent women. “African mothers, faithfully married, are killed by men who never stop having sex!” » (Magona 70). Another shocking fact is that many men in the novel, which Magona uses to reflect the majority of men in South Africa, believe that they own their wives. Whether it is one or two wives, if they pay labola for her, then they own her. We see these actions through Edith's husband, Luvo, and Cordelia's husband, Vuyo. Towards the end of the novel, Luvo rapes Edith. The description of the rape in the novel: “She lay there like a log and let him do anything. It was over in seconds. ” (171) creates awareness of the harsh lives that many married African women must endure. Another example of these women's constant struggles to protect themselves and their marriages is when Cordelia asks Vuyo to take an AIDS test or use protection with her. He responds by finding himself "what he calls 'a one-night thing'." (Magona 90). All these women are faithful, hardworking and. ».