The inspirational journeys of people who are long-term survivors of HIV
Phindile
Phindile
Johannesburg, South Africa
Phindile is a long-term #HIV survivor from Johannesburg. After keeping her status a secret for years, she finally shared her story with her loved ones. Photographs and story by Phindile.
Trigger warning: sexual assault/violence.
My Mom cried when I told her I was HIV-positive. I said to her, “You know what, Mom, you don’t have to cry. I’ve been living with this disease for four years now, and look at me, I’m healthy.”
I said, “I was afraid you were going to chase me away from your house. I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know how.” Then my Mom hugged me and said, “I love you. You are still my daughter.”
I was raped when I was 16, by somebody I knew. I had kept this secret for 20 years. After both the rape and the HIV, I wanted to start a new life, to do something challenging. I wanted to heal.
I thought, “I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.” That was December. In January, I got a call that the church had raised a lot of money for me to fulfill my dream.
When I reached the top, oh, I cried—tears of joy. I’m here, in Tanzania, and I’ve reached the peak.
And I am healed. After my journey to Tanzania, I found forgiveness and peace in my heart, and my story was shared in newspapers and beyond.
Today, I’m still alive and kicking. I've been living with HIV for the past 24 years—10 years on ARVs. I’m still living a positive life, with nothing to complain about.
I’m healthy. I’m working for one of the biggest organizations in South Africa as an HIV counsellor. I’m a linkage officer working with the community, and I’m happy that I’m working in the field of HIV/AIDS, which I’m passionate about.
T a k e a c t i o n
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