I also know that widespread AIDS testing is not common outside of Harare. From my experiences living in Zimbabwe, I would say there is a great deal of denial, resistance, and fear about the pandemic. Westerners who talk about the myth of AIDS fan the embers of a wishful thinking that helps no one. Let me end with one minor point, the idea that people rarely eat vegetables in Zimbabwe is wholly inaccurate. Leafy greens and sadza are the staples of the local diet, as are tomatoes and onions.
Meat is certainly the rarity.
This is true in rural areas and in the city. I know this from working on a longitudinal study on nutrition in various land tenure systems. The representations here are well-intentioned, but lazy, and I think serve to reinforce generalized, normative views of Africa that don't really broaden our understandings. While protesters have followed him as he jets about the globe spending his looted millions, he is welcomed with open arms in almost every country. I know the Times needs scrutiny, but I think your criticism of the editorial board is overbroad.