Duduza – For 52-year-old Nomasomi Limako from Duduza, Disability Rights Awareness Month is not only a time for reflection but also a powerful reminder of her life’s purpose, which is to advocate for the rights and dignity of people living with disabilities and those affected by HIV and AIDS.

Limako, who was diagnosed with Postpolio Syndrome (polio) from birth, has been living with HIV for the past 20 years. Her journey has shaped her into one of Duduza’s most respected community activists.

“For me, being an activist means always ensuring that the rights of people with disabilities are not violated in any sphere of life. Many are abused within their families or wrongly labelled as ‘crazy’, and women are especially vulnerable to sexual violence.

“Perpetrators often go unpunished, and many victims are HIV positive without even knowing it. I use my platform to be their voice and speak out against gender-based violence,” she said.

Her advocacy journey began after she was personally affected by discrimination and misinformation. Limako is a survivor of HIV, which she contracted from a man who believed a myth that sleeping with a disabled person could cure the virus.

Today, she works tirelessly to educate others about the dual stigma surrounding both disability and HIV, particularly in township communities.

“People with disabilities are vulnerable to HIV because they are often violated and suffer in silence. At the same time, HIV can lead to disabilities. Understanding this connection helps us to fight stigma from both sides,” she said.

Limako currently serves as a board member at EK FM, where she utilises radio to promote disability awareness and inclusion.

She is also the disability coordinator for Positive Convention, promoting healthy living among people living with HIV, and a board member at Nacosa.

Her dedication to community empowerment earned her recognition as a finalist in the Duduza Heroes Awards in 2022, in the Community Activist of the Year category.

Limako remains determined to push for a more inclusive society, despite the many challenges people with disabilities still face.

“If we remove the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from being independent, their voices will be heard, and they can participate fully in community life. Inclusion creates confident, empowered individuals and a more compassionate society,” she said.