Sterkfontein Hospital addresses the HIV stigma

World Aids Day (1 December) was celebrated in an educational way at the Sterkfontein Hospital on Friday, 2 December.

A crowd gathered at the hospital’s recreational hall where a gumboot dance crew performed an educational drama and the Sterkfontein Hospital Choir provided the musical entertainment.

Suzan Mzinyathi from Zisukumele, a non-governmental organisation, related her story to the crowd with the aim of educating and inspiring them:

“I was diagnosed with HIV 22 years ago. I was pregnant with my daughter and married when I decided to test and in that era, people were afraid of the stigma of disclosing,” Susan told the crowd.

Susan spoke about how she rose from what people perceived was a death sentence to starting her own organisation where she shares the positive messages and educates people on the disease.

People were educated on how HIV is spread, how to prevent it and what items are not supposed to be shared with people whose status is unknown to you.

Andy Mashaile from Interpol also addressed the crowd, saying, “I like to share hope and I like to inspire. In our country, there are more women than men and that is why we need to bow down to our women. 7,03 million people in South Africa are living with HIV, and most of them are women,” Andy told the crowd. He urged people to become healthy regardless of what their status is and to take care of their families. Andy also mentioned that the celebration was not only about World Aids Day but also about 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Andy also donated a fourth generation alarm system to the hospital, suggesting that it should be placed in the most problematic area around the hospital.

Sterkfontein Hospital’s CEO, Jimmy Mapunya, also shared messages of encouragement and warned against stigmatising people who live with HIV.

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