Phindile Sithole-Spong was always a sickly child, but she never thought much of it until she got a flu that would not go away. She was 19 when she found out she had AIDS. Now, 24-years-old, and on HIV treatment, Phindileshares her experiences and views on life all over the world in an effort torebrand HIV.
A recent University of Cape Town (UCT) graduate, she wrote about her sexuality and HIV status in one of her favourite magazinesElle.This exposure and her openness about her status led to Phindile being invited to speak at the World Aids Conference in Washington this year. An independent consultant specialising in HIV and Aids campaigns and projects, she talks at many conferences and schools about HIV.
Her message is strong and clear.“You can live a normal, healthy and happy life.”
“So many people I feel who don’t work in this sector (HIV) don’t really know what HIV is. And there have been so many mixed messages about what HIV is and who it infects and how one gets infected…I try touch on those issues when I give talks.”
“You can live a normal, healthy and happy life with HIV”
Phindile was born with HIV but says it should not matter how a person got the virus, adding: “It’s not important how you get the virus, it’s still the same virus and it will affect you in the same way.” “We really have a long way to go. I think that is also why I am tired. You can speak all you want and try to convince people it’s not over but if people don’t want to listen than there’s nothing you can do about it. It feels like you are preaching to the converted and a lot of the time that’s what happens.” Even though she does get a little bored of talking about HIV because there is more to her than her status, Phindile realises the importance of what she has to say and how she shows people that you can still have passions and dreams and love life; even if you are HIV-positive. She knows she reaches people. She is making a difference. HIV is not just a virus. It is Human.
– By Tanja Bencun
