Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - February 13, 2004
The event was not as rosy as it may sound. Before the test Shabba looked very unsettled. He moved around with a cellphone glued to his ear, and avoided questions. He continuously rubbed his face, his eyes wet and red. He spent most of the time staring at the table, eyes wide open. Everytime someone gave him a hug, Shabba would hold on tight, his eyes screwed up like a baby. The presence of his actress sister, Jackee, didn't seem to calm him at all.
"I must say, I'm very scared. If I could just turn back the clock and decide to quit now, I would do that."
But there was no turning back.
"Whatever the results, I will accept," said Shabba.
Yfm listeners were being updated live-on-air about the proceedings.
At exactly 12.05pm Dr Johan Le Roux took Shabba's blood. The results would be known in 10 minutes, the doctor said.
At 12.16pm Le Roux confidently announced Shabba's status. "Shabba is HIV negative".
He looked relieved, started smiling but within seconds the smile disappeared. "It's unbelievable," he said.
"If you could see the trauma that I was going through as a build-up to this ... I couldn't even have breakfast this morning."
Shabba spent Wednesday night at home in Venda, talking to his ancestors, he said.
The HIV testing coincided with Shabba's 29th birthday. He is currently filling the slot that belonged to the late Khaba 'Khabzela' Fana on Sundays. Khabzela died last month of an Aids-related disease.
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