Despite the medical advancements that have transformed HIV into a manageable condition, societal stigma and misconceptions persist, often overshadowing the realities of life with HIV.
HIV activist and founder of HIV Plus Us campaign, Ibanomonde Ngema, has courageously shared her HIV status with the public while establishing a campaign as a beacon of hope and support for those affected.
At the age of seven, Ibanomonde Ngema's life took a turn when her mother and grandmother revealed her HIV diagnosis. Though she was too young to grasp the complexities of the illness, their sombre expressions and her instinctive tears hinted at its gravity.
Years later, during life orientation classes in primary school, Ngema began to comprehend the realities of HIV, fortunate to have a supportive family with a medical background to guide her through the journey.
As a teenager I'm fortunate to have friends who have accepted me for who I am and revoked my history. I generally don't care how people feel or see me because I have fully accepted my status. I understand why you wouldn't be friends with me, I understand why you might not want to touch me, I understand why you are stigmatising me, so when I say, 'I understand', I mean I can no longer be stigmatised, said Ngema