Living positively with HIV

DESPITE THE SUCCESS in saving lives by providing free treatment for people living with HIV and Aids, more still needs to be done to fight the disease.

By the age of 17, Lebohang Motsumi was already HIV positive and when she turned 19, she was a teenage mother.

Motsumi’s story echoes that of many other young South African women who are between the ages of 15-24 and living with HIV and Aids.

This is the group that the Department of Health considers to be the most vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, teenage pregnancy and other social ills.

Earlier this year, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa launched a national campaign to prevent HIV among young women and adolescent girls. 

It is estimated that nearly 2 000 girls and young women between the ages of 15 and 24 get infected with HIV in this country each week.

The campaign seeks to reduce the interlinked problems of HIV infections, school dropouts, teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence and to maximise health, education and economic opportunities for young women and adolescent girls.

Motsumi, who originates from Lindeni in Johannesburg, saID at the age of 17 she thought she knew it all.

“I dated a celebrity. It felt good and I thought finally my dream would come true. I was going to become a famous dancer. Instead, my worst nightmare began.

“I had unprotected sexual intercourse with this guy, and only discovered later that he was HIV positive.”

Motsumi added she never got tested because she believed she was superior to the virus.

“I thought being HIV positive was for prostitutes, those who were sleeping around and those from poor backgrounds. I continued to live my life as normal, as if nothing had happened. Instead of getting tested, I continued having sex and if there was no condom, I would still go on.”

In 2009, Motsumi’s life changed dramatically when she discovered her HIV status.

 “I tried to commit suicide, but failed. I just got really sick.”

Her CD4 count was low and she started antiretroviral treatment. “Not only was I dealing with the fact that I was HIV positive, but I was also pregnant and was supposed to be preparing for my matric exams." Motsumi experienced a few health scares before she got better and decided to take better care of herself. 

“I joined a youth support group at Helen Joseph hospital and that made me realise I was not the only young person living with this virus.

“In 2012, with the backing of my support group, I decided that I wanted to disclose my status at a public gathering,” she said, adding that she was motivated by her desire to help change the lives of other young people.

“It makes me feel good that my story can help other young people infected with and affected by HIV, and those who are still uneducated about the virus.”

Motsumi, who is now 27, works as a trainer and programme assistant for Zaza, an initiative sponsored by the National Department of Health which focuses on young women.