Ratanda’s Joseph Motloung reflects on 30 years of living openly with HIV
For more than three decades, Ratanda’s Joseph Motloung has lived openly with HIV-breaking stigma, spreading hope, and inspiring others through his powerful message of acceptance and resilience.
Joseph Motloung (59), from Ratanda, is one of South Africa’s longest-living HIV survivors – a true symbol of courage, faith, and self-acceptance.
Earlier this year, Joseph received a certificate of recognition from the Department of Health. It was an acknowledgement of his unwavering strength and decades-long advocacy for people living with HIV.
Motloung’s story began more than three decades ago.
“In 1989, I met a beautiful woman. We were deeply in love, but she never spoke about her HIV status. In 1994, before she passed away, she finally revealed that she was HIV positive and had been too afraid to tell me.
“I got tested, and on June 10, 1994, the results came back positive. I went home and stayed indoors the whole weekend. On Monday morning, I looked in the mirror and started talking to myself. That moment changed my life,” he said.
Motloung believes the first step to survival is self-acceptance.
“The biggest mistake people living with HIV make is forgetting to talk to themselves. I said to myself: ‘What happened to me doesn’t matter. What matters is what I do next. I’m HIV positive, so what? Does that change my name? No. I’m still Joseph.’
“I told people about my status, and I have never stopped. More than 30 years later, I’m still standing strong.”
Motloung stresses the importance of self-love, responsibility, and prevention.
“Accept yourself, love yourself, and never infect anyone else. Many young people underestimate HIV. They think it is for uneducated people or those who cannot speak English. They don’t attend awareness events, and that ignorance is dangerous,” he said.
Motloung also shared advice for young women: “Children are found in marriage. Wait for the right time. God wants you to finish school before He prepares your husband. And remember DJ Sbu’s B’s: Books Before Boys Because Boys Bring Babies”.
Throughout his journey, Motloung has drawn strength from community members and healthcare workers, especially the late Mayor Busi Modisakeng, whom he remembers fondly.
“My family didn’t support me, but my community and clinic staff did. The most important people in life are those who criticise you and those who support you. You need both to grow.
“No one deserves to be HIV positive. Stop neglecting people living with HIV. Show them love, because we are human too,” he said.
