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Open

I cautiously open the door and peer in. The consulting room in Philanjalo, our anti-retroviral clinic is full of counsellors.

“Sanibona!”

“Yebo!”

“Where is Sister Sithole?”

“She is outside, she will be back soon,” replies Nomusa, the counsellor to whom I once mistakenly proposed. She eyes me. “Sister tells me that you are unfaithful. She tells me that you have lots of girlfriends. You do not love only me.”

“No!” I cry, “that is not true.”

“She says you hug everyone.” Sister enters at that moment and a rapid discussion follows in Zulu. She turns to me.

“It is true – you have many girlfriends.”

“Ah – but Sister when I hug other nurses it just a pat on the shoulder. Like this..” I demonstrate precipitating shrieks of laughter.

“Ah,” says Nomusa. “It does not matter – I have another boyfriend.”

“Who?”

“Dr Magnus – he too loves me.”

“So you too are unfaithful?” She smiles and winks.

“So Dr, do you have a wife?”

“No.”

“So.. you are a virgin!” There are hoots and cries from all in the room. Suddenly I am aware that these are not just women – these are powerful Zulu women.

Sister Sithole cries, “Hauw Doctor! You must leave quickly or they will open you!”

She hustles me out and their peals of laughter follow me down the hall as I beat my retreat. I do not want to discover exactly what she means by “open”.

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