” I have been living happily with HIV for 21 years”

After a single encounter with an ex-partner 21 years ago, Thabiso Mogapi (49) from Ikageng was diagnosed with HIV. Only ten years later did he find out how he had contracted the virus.
Many would agree that if they were told they had been infected with HIV, their minds would be flooded with thoughts of worry and fear about the future. This was not the case for Thabiso; he handled the news quite differently when he was diagnosed in 2000.

“As they were conducting the test, I was prepared to hear anything, not because I was living recklessly but because I knew that anything was possible,” he said.
When the worst was confirmed, Thabiso handled the news much better than one would expect as he had already programmed himself to accept the worst.
“I was calm and quickly accepted the news, I am generally the kind of person who is always prepared for the worst,” he added.

But it wasn’t an easy journey getting there. Thabiso was just 23 years old when he publicly came out about his sexuality, which, he believes, prepared him for any situation in life.
“I was scared and confused and it took me a long time to accept how I was feeling, I even got depressed. But once I overcame that particularly tough journey in my life, I knew I could overcome anything, regardless of what it may be,” he said.

Instead of taking the time to digest the news and think of what would be next, Thabiso opened up about his status to one of his closest friends.
“She immediately accepted the situation and has supported me ever since. That day, she encouraged me to tell others my story and, before I knew it, I did an article, telling others about my experience. That kickstarted my motivational speaking career,” he shared.

A month later, he confided in his late mother, one of his biggest confidants.
“Like any mother, she was worried and feared for the worst. She would always call me and check in to see if I was fine. I kept telling her I was not sick, just living with a virus in my body. It took her a few months, but she soon started accepting the situation,” he added.

Even though Thabiso was at peace with his status, he still had to deal with the stigma around HIV. “I realised that people had many negative things to say about HIV, but this was because they didn’t have the correct information,” he added. Since his diagnosis, Thabiso has taken it upon himself to help spread the word. Sharing his story with others has not only inspired many but also informed them of the virus.

“Soon after I started speaking out, people would reach out and ask for advice. Many were afraid to speak during the day because they didn’t want to be associated with me due to the stigma in the community,” he shared.
“I kept telling people that it’s all in the mind. If you let the virus own you, you will get sick and die and I wasn’t going to let that happen,” he said confidently. “I kept reminding myself that should I die, the virus would die with me; why should I let it slow me down.”

With this mentality, Thabiso could go on for 12 years without taking his ARVs. It was only in 2012 when he found out that he also had TB that he started his HIV treatment. Before then, he had been taking immune boosters and eating healthy to manage his CD4 count.
Today, Thabiso’s viral load is suppressed and undetectable and he has not experienced any complications due to the virus.
“I take good care of myself and I keep a positive mindset,” he concluded.