Living positive against all odds
Duduza - Sipho Nhlengetwa (33), a rape survivor who is currently living with HIV/Aids, is on a quest to inspire the thousands of people in his community who are infected with and affected by the disease.
Sipho’s story on how he got infected with the virus is not unique, but how he dealt with it is.
He remembers being first diagnosed with the virus back in 2003, saying it was a shock and required him to change his perception of the disease and his approach to life.
“Before I was diagnosed with the disease I was promiscuous and got drunk every weekend with my friends, but since I discovered my status I have changed my lifestyle completely.
“For me it was all about accepting that I have the disease and finding a way to keep my body strong so I may live longer,” says Nhlengetwa.
More importantly, he says he has turned the virus into his life partner and has given it a name: Happy Innocentia Vilakazi.
“I gave the virus a name as a symbol of me accepting it as a part of my body and immune system; it is part of my existence, my life partner,” he explains.
Nhlengetwa says a lot of people still need to educate themselves about the virus in order to be able to deal with it and understand that it doesn’t make one less of a human.
He says his status has taught him so much about himself and made him discover skills and talents he never knew he had before becoming infected.
“With only a positive mindset to keep me going, I realised I can write and motivate others, which led me to write a book about my status.
“I’m currently busy with my second book even though the first one hasn’t been published yet. I’m working towards getting both books out there for the public,” he says.
Among other things, Nhlengetwa plans to hold workshops where he will educate his peers and community members about the disease and try and end the stigma that surrounds HIV/Aids.
“My wish is for people who are living with the disease to love themselves and accept their status no matter how they got infected, because a positive attitude will help them beat the disease as opposed to living in denial.
“A slight change to your lifestyle may just push you to your destination. Being HIV positive isn’t the end of the world but an opportunity to start and explore another world.
“I want people living with the virus to look in the mirror and say to themselves, ‘I am HIV positive, so what?'” adds Nhlengetwa.
