The South African celebrities who are living with HIV

On Sunday, 1 December, the world commemorated World Aids Day. 

According to tbfacts.org, an estimated 7.52-million people in South Africa were living with HIV in 2018. 

Many of us live with or know someone who is HIV positive. This is why it is important to join in the fight against the disease.

HIV.org says the best way to get involved in the fight against the disease is to volunteer with a local HIV service organisation, engage with others on social media, share what you know with others, participate in local events, and keep learning yourself.

Knowledge is the key to helping those who are infected. It is also important to offer love and support to them. 

In South Africa, some of our very own celebrities are living with the disease and have come out to defy stereotypes.

Criselda Dudumashe

Radio personality Criselda Dudumashe has opened up about living with the disease in her book, 'You Are Never Alone: God's Favourite Daughter'.

For many years, Criselda has been an HIV/AIDS ambassador. She goes around the country giving talks on living with the deadly disease.

She has been living with the virus for 20 years.

In 2017, she took to Instagram to talk about how far she has come with the disease.

"How long doctor?" As I barely whispered. I saw the blank look on his face. "How long do I have, living with this?" Maximum, two years as you were lucky we discovered it early," she wrote.

“It's nineteen years later I'm here. I just had to re-read my story as motivation to self. My immune system is taking a knock but I will not go down without a fight - Joshua 11: 1-9."

Abdurrazack 'Zackie' Achmat

 Famous South African film director, Abdurrazack 'Zackie' Achmat, was diagnosed with HIV in 1990. 

After being given three months to live, he got up and fought the disease, even becoming an activist. He went on to co-found the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) - a South African HIV/AIDS activist organisation. 

Achmat has worked hard to reduce the stigma around HIV through the slogan, ‘HIV Positive'. 

Musa 'Queen' Njoko

Gospel star Musa Njoko has also been living with HIV for over 20 years. 

In a recent tweet, she said she was also given a few months to live but has managed to fight the disease for years.

“He was just under 2yrs when I was diagnosed with HIV. I was given 3 months to live due to my condition then. By the grace of God I've lived to see him not only start school but become an international star in his own right now doing an ad for big brandOros,” she tweeted. 

All these celebs have managed to live with HIV/AIDS for over ten years, proving that with a positive attitude and living a healthy lifestyle, HIV doesn't have to be the end.

READ: HIV infections among KZN youth still a concern for government

Image courtesy of Instagram/ @positivegp