Andile

Andile Gidana

“It is such a breeze for me to disclose now because I know that HIV is manageable and that there is life after HIV… I just want everyone to know that it is such a relief to get tested sooner rather than later. Believe me, it makes life worth living”. Andile is studying towards a Diploma in Journalism, does Relationship & HIV counselling and is a founding Trustee of The Openly Positive Trust, a non-profit organisation that helps to build a supportive, stigma-free environment for people living with HIV and AIDS to disclose and live positively.
 
Christo

Christo Greyling
The Rev. Christo Greyling is World Vision’s Global advisor on HIV/AIDS and faith based partnerships. In this role, Christo works to mobilise and equip faith communities throughout the world to participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Christo was instrumental in developing the ‘Channels of Hope’ methodology which aims to break stigma and equip faith leaders and local congregations to respond effectively to the HIV/AIDS needs in their area. Christo says “that people living with HIV are still normal people, but that we are also able to spread a message of hope”.
 
Evalina

Evelina Tshabalala
“Even though I’m HIV-positive, I’m stronger than normal people”, accomplished marathon runner and mountaineer Evelina Tshabalala points out. “I do things that most normal people can’t do”. Like climbing the world’s highest mountains including Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya, Mount Elbrus in Russia and Mount Aconcagua in Argentina as part of Isicongo’s ‘Seven Summits Project’. Evelina is actively involved in educating the children about HIV and how she manages her illness. “I’m a role-model because I’m proof that life is not finished when you have HIV”.
 
Faghmeda

Faghmeda Miller
Faghmeda Miller is the first Muslim woman in South Africa to have disclosed her HIV status. By “building up enough confidence, acceptance and courage to live” she has been able to achieve her three dreams of starting a support group for Muslims living with HIV called Positive Muslims, writing a book about living with HIV and completing her holy pilgrimage to Mecca. Faghmeda shows how you “can achieve anything you set your mind to, regardless of your HIV status”.
 
Vuyiseka Dubula

Vuyiseka Dubula
When Vuyiseka learned about her status in April 2001 her life was one of “internal isolation, guilt and some denial” but this changed when she met a young women from the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and she became part of a family of young women and men living with HIV. Vuyiseka started antiretrovirals because she knows “that a healthy mother results in a healthy child” and she has an HIV negative child. Vuyiseka became a staff member for TAC in 2002 and has moved from being a receptionist to being elected General Secretary in 2008.