Aids activist Solomon Zimba died on October 20.
Friends and fellow Aids activists who worked with him said his death is a loss for the struggle against HIV/Aids.
Mr Lucky Khafela, a fellow activist, said he first met Solomon on HIV World Aids Day, where Solomon stood up in front of thousands of people and disclosed his status.
“Today is one of the saddest days in the history of Tembisa as I’m talking about Solomon Zimba, whom I first met when he stood in front of me and said I am standing before you as a person living with HIV and Aids,” said Mr Khafela.
Mr Khafel said he never believed the activist was telling the truth until he produced his HIV certificate.
Fezekile Macwili, who met his long-time friend and fellow activist in 1997, said the late Zimba hailed from iDutjwa in the Eastern Cape and settled in Ematikweni in Tembisa, where he lived for 11 years.
He said the activist was diagnosed in 1999 and in the same year, together with his four fellow activists, he formed a project called Zimbanathi Projects.
The project was known among many people for providing food parcels to needy communities.
“Zimba has achieved a lot, he was nominated Community Builder of the Year and was an HIV/Aids ambassador during Dr Gwen Ramokgopa’s tenure as minister of health,” said Mr Khafela. According to the family, Mr Solomon Zimba was laid to rest in the Eastern Cape at iDutjwa on October 31.
