PATIENCE Namane (39), who has lived with HIV for 15 years and is an ambassador for people living with the virus, has urged people to stop discriminating against them.
Patience, a senior provisioning clerk at Bushbuckridge cop shop in Mpumalanga, said she doesn’t know how she contracted the virus.
“The South African Police Service exposed me to peer education and ambassadorship. I know what it’s like to be discriminated against and stigmatised because of the virus,” she said.
“That is why you see people becoming vulnerable because they are dying alone. They are afraid of being judged.”
Speaking to residents at the Malele Tribal Council in Bushbuckridge on Wednesday 1 December, she said HIV doesn’t kill anyone.
“People choose to die because they do not make use of the free medication and the free consultation at clinics and hospitals. When we adhere to our treatment, the virus gets suppressed and the chances of infecting our partners are very slim.”
Patience said people must stop taking their loved ones to consult traditional healers without knowing their status.
“Some people get sick because they default on their medical treatment. The struggle is not yet over, but together we can curb the spread of the virus.”
Patience said people are scared to disclose their HIV status to anyone because they might get rejected or stigmatised even to the point of suicide or get hooked on drugs because of a lack of support.
She said people are dying because of ignorance as they don’t know their status.
Patience appealed to those living with HIV to always use condoms.
She also asked pastors and churches to start preaching about safe sex so people can protect themselves.
Induna Billy Malele said they were impressed and proud of Patience’s positive experience and inspirational words.
“We are proud of you, sister. Go and teach our children. I have learnt a lot from you. I hope and believe everyone here will now change their ways of seeing the disease,” said Malele.
