Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau
BEING born with HIV has not been a hindrance for Ms Thokozile Nkala (22) but has rather helped build resilience, which has assisted her to tackle life challenges.
In her testimony at the World Aids Day commemorations in Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South Province last week, Ms Nkala said gaining strength and courage has helped her to set an example to her peers and motivate other young people with HIV.
She said growing up with HIV has been a journey of surprises, challenges and mostly resilience.
Along the way, she has learnt a lot about adhering to treatment and advocating for awareness.
“Growing up with HIV has been a journey of surprises, challenges and above all resilience, 22 years of my journey living with HIV has been a journey of resilience not limitation. From learning to take my medication to advocating for awareness, I have discovered strength in vulnerability. HIV is part of me but it doesn’t define me.
“I’m grateful for the love, medicine, community that keeps me thriving. I have also learnt that with every pill I take, I choose life, love and breaking stigma and discrimination. To anyone walking this path, you are not alone. You are enough and loved and your life is a gift,” she said.
Ms Nkala said she was grateful for the support that continues to fuel her.
Ms Constance Ntuliki (59) who has been living positively too for about 20 years said she has walked the journey with hope and courage. She said being part of a support group has been one of her major sources of strength.
Ms Ntuliki said Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) has helped her to give birth to HIV negative children. She urged people to get tested for HIV in order to make informed decisions and to protect their loved ones.
She also works in her community as Community HIV and Aids Support Agent.
Ms Ntuliki said adhering to treatment has helped her live a healthy life.
“I was born in 1966 and in 2006 I tested positive for HIV. I was a widow at that time but that didn’t mean the end of the road for me but the start of a new journey. I’m a member of Sibambene Support Group and we meet to share experiences so that we support one another along the way.
“I’m stress free and look forward to living a long life. I have been taking my ART treatment religiously and this has really helped me. I gave birth to my last born while I was positive but I didn’t pass on the virus to him. I have been assisting others in my community as well,” she said.
Ms Ntuliki urged those who fear to get tested and those who are concealing their status to take a bold step in order to protect themselves and their loved ones.
She said being HIV positive does not mean it is the end of life.
Young People’s Network on Health and Wellbeing (YPNHW) national facilitator, Mr Dumisani Ngwenya said young people are not merely beneficiaries of the Aids response but are partners, advocates and leaders.
He said disruptions faced must not deter the youth but inspire them to transform the response into one that is resilient, inclusive and sustainable.
“We must remain vigilant and innovative in addressing the disruptions that threaten our gains. We recognise the National Aids Council for the steadfast support it continues to provide, especially to young people. Through their leadership, young voices are amplified, and our needs are placed at the centre of the national HIV response.
“We also extend our gratitude to our traditional leaders, who through the #NotInMyVillage Campaign an initiative from the Young People’s Network on Health and well-being have declared boldly that HIV, child marriages, and child pregnancies have no place in their chiefdoms. Their leadership is transforming communities, and their courage is shaping a future where young people can thrive free from these challenges,” he said.
Mr Ngwenya said as the country moves towards universal health coverage, it is essential that HIV services are fully integrated into the national health insurance framework. He said no young person living with HIV should face financial hardship in accessing care.
He said there is a need for a system that guarantees comprehensive, affordable and equitable health services for all.
This year’s World Aids Day commemorations were held under the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the Aids response”.
In his address on Sunday, President Mnangagwa said the 2025 World Aids Day theme, reflects the realities facing the country after Covid-19 disruptions and emerging threats from non-communicable diseases, climate-related emergencies and outbreaks such as Mpox.
President Mnangagwa reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to increasing domestic financing for health to safeguard Zimbabwe’s hard-won gains in the fight against HIV and Aids.
He said Zimbabwe’s progress in achieving and surpassing global HIV targets must be protected through stronger national investment in health systems.
President Mnangagwa noted that despite a decline in global funding and emerging health issues, Zimbabwe continued to shape a resilient, home-grown response.
The country has surpassed the UNAids 95-95-95 global targets and achieved epidemic control in 2022.
Statistics show that 97 percent of people living with HIV know their status, over 95 percent are on life-saving antiretroviral therapy and 96 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed.
The achievements reflect the dedication of Zimbabwe’s leadership, as the Second Republic, communities and health workers work together. President Mnangagwa said the gains made so far assure the leadership that the nation is firmly on the path towards ending Aids.
