Celebrity Role Models
“To all the celebrities – let’s lead the way. Let’s show everybody this is the way life is supposed to be lived.” These are the words of renowned urban grooves musician, Alexio Kawara’s and they couldn’t be truer.
Researchers say that human beings learn about the world and decide on their values and behaviour by watching others. Logically, people are likely to imitate the behaviour that they associate with success, or successful people and often celebrities are seen as such.
When celebrities are thrust into the public eye, not only their talents, but also every aspect of their behaviour comes under scrutiny. It is not by choice that celebrities enlist to mould the minds of an entire population; yet being a role model is something that comes with the job, like fame, recognition and $300,000. Thus, Alexio along with other local and international celebrities, have the power to influence the public by their behaviour…or misbehaviour.
Alexio was speaking at an occasion jointly hosted by the US Embassy and PSI’s New Africa House HIV Centre. He was one of seven youth celebrities who accepted an invitation to be publicly tested for HIV with Ambassador, Charles Ray.
Alexio went on to say: “We [celebrities] have mistakes and we have temptations. I think our temptations are at a higher level than the other temptations, especially in an industry where you are in the limelight and every lady wants to say something to you and every guy wants to say something to you and to you too.”
This points to the reality that, despite their vast influence, celebrities may not be the best choice for instilling moral values, especially when their ‘mistakes’ and surrender to ‘temptations’ are broadcast and published far and wide.
However, while celebrities cannot control the type of media attention they receive, they can control some things that are made public about them. And it is highly admirable when they choose to use their fame to achieve something good and meaningful. That is exactly what Alexio and his counterparts did to commemorate World AIDS Day. They underwent HIV counselling and testing, observed by members of the media, to encourage young people to know their HIV status.
Reading from transcripts compiled at the occasion by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Harare, it was commendable to see that these young Zimbabwean celebrities were mindful of their responsibilities as role models.
Big Brother contestant and star of the film ‘Lobola’, Munyaradzi Chidzonga addressed the youth specifically when he spoke at the occasion.
“… I really think as young people we need to start talking about the things that we talk about behind closed doors. This needs to be opened up because, believe it or not, in our generation, it is dangerous to have sex because there are a lot of things that could go terribly wrong.”
Desmond Maringwa, midfielder with Dynamos Football shed light on HIV/AIDS on the local soccer scene.
“I am the President of the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe. We have got a project that we want to do about soccer players as well. We have seen so many have gone the way of HIV and died. Nobody wanted to come forward and do something like this (getting tested). Maybe I am the first one, and I am proud of myself.”
The power of knowing one’s status was musician Edith Katiji’s emphasis.
“In the sort of life that we are living- I was listening to the radio the other day- children as early as 12 are getting sexually active… It might happen due to peer pressure, it might happen through abuse, but what is important is for you to know your status because then you are able to make the decision as to where and how you are going to live your life, how you are going to take care of yourself, or how you are going to plan for what’s ahead.”
For their participation at this World AIDS Day event, I was impressed by the tremendous courage and dutifulness of Edith Katiji, Alexio Kawara, Munyaradzi Chidzonga, Desmond Maringwa and fellow Dynamos Football Club team-mate Washington Arubi, Norman Maroto of Gunners Football Club and television personality, Rumbidzai Mugwira. It is difficult to live your life in a glass bowl and to never put a foot wrong while you are doing it. But once in a while celebrity can be used to achieve something good for other people and on this occasion I applaud these seven who did just that.