AUTHOR and social activist Lebogang Brenda Motsumi said opening up about her HIV status was just a way to let people know there are many things that can happen in their lives.
The 35-year-old Joburg-based author said she was infected at a very young age and wanted to raise awareness on this.
She has opened up about her HIV status several times and recently took to Twitter (now X) to share how she was allegedly infected by the late kwaito star Tebogo "Zombo" Ndlovu, a member of Abashante.
She told Daily Sun there are young people out there who don't know their statuses and must know HIV is alive. This is part of the December World Aids Day campaign programmes.
She said this was just her way of sharing a message with young ones to look after themselves daily and learn to wait as the diseases is out there. Lebogang said she has suffered a lot and she has five chronic illness such as kidney failure, Bipolar, anemia, HIV, and hypertension.
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On Tuesday, 5 December, the author said she wanted to be famous on her tweets and many people started questioning their acts as individuals and the lives they live. She said after finding out she was infected she started being in denial first and after went to check out and found out she was infected.
Lebogang said she's grateful to be alive and tell her story on positive living. She said she wanted to give out a message about self-love.
"I'm currently busy with the Beyond Zero campaign, where we are spreading awareness on HIV, GBV, and teen pregnancy. The aim is to educate about preventative methods like PrEP," he said.
"We want to teach people about the virus. We don't want people to be in the same situation as I was," he said.
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"I have learnt to love and value myself. I now understand what young people go through in life," Lebogang said.
The motivational speaker said the message was straightforward - people must abstain. She said there are many things that can happen such as unplanned pregnancy and other diseases. She said she wants to partner with businesses to work on these projects.
She said young people must continue to carry condoms with them.
"There's a reason why the Bible says wait until you are married," she said.
She said she will be working on a podcast that will be eye-opening for young people. She said there is so much to offer.
Lebogang said she went through a lot in life and has so much to offer. She said she wants to be the light to many people who are in the dark.
"Our young people are lost and screaming for help. I have so much to offer," she said.
Lebogang said she also has a book out called I'm Still Here From My Death Bed to the World.
She said she hopes many companies or organisations can work with her to create awareness.
"I want to travel and go to schools to have these important messages. We need to educate our people as young people out there behave recklessly," she said.
