HIV is not a death sentence – Mabopane activist

Mabopane HIV activist and motivational speaker Meisie Motaung is a force to be reckoned with.

The 47-year-old rape, cancer and TB survivor is strong-willed and does not let anything deter her.

She told Rekord that unfortunate circumstances in her life made her the strong woman she was today, as she was able to fight and overcome.

“I was raped by a taxi driver coming back from work. The incident affected me so much as I was infected with HIV. That led to pulmonary TB,” said Motaung.

Determined to live, Motaung started taking her HIV medication, concurrently with that for TB.

“I started to take ARV medication in 2005, together with pulmonary TB medication. It was not a smooth process, as the medication became too much to be taken at the same time,” she said.

In 2016, when Motaung thought the battle was over, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

“I fought with all I had to conquer the cervical cancer. The doctors managed to save my uterus from being removed. I am continuing with the medication to prevent the cancer from coming back,” said Motaung.

Motaung reflected on World Aids Day, in December 2012, when she felt it was time to disclose her HIV status to her colleagues and employer.

“At the time, I was still working for Gautrain. I decided to disclose my HIV status to my employer and colleagues on 1 December 2012. They showed me support. I was never judged or discriminated against,” said Motaung.

She said she could not imagine going through difficult times in her life without the support of her family.

“My mother was my pillar of strength. I cannot thank her and my whole family enough. I love and appreciate them,” said Motaung.

She told Rekord that after she disclosed her HIV status in 2012, she was inspired to reach out to people in similar situations as her, through motivational speaking and through being an HIV activist.

The new path paved a way for Motaung to have platforms where she could express herself and tell her story.

“I was invited by the office of the previous Gauteng health MEC Hope Papo, to light the candle of hope to those living with HIV/Aids in 2013, at Freedom Park,” she said.

“I also recorded educational motivational TV adverts with the Gauteng department of health as a beneficiary of 20 years of democracy, as part of the Gauteng premier’s office in 2014.”

With the burning desire to continue with motivational speaking, Motaung said she has given motivational talks in prisons such as Kgosi Mampuru, Odi and Westville in KwaZulu-Natal.

“I have also given motivational talks at George Mukhari hospital, Odi hospital and Sefako Makhatho University. I collected my ARVs at Odi hospital. I always motivated the patients when I went to collect my medication,” said Motaung.

“I have a programme at Soshanguve community radio station every Tuesday, where health issues are being discussed.

She encouraged those living with HIV to stop viewing HIV as a death sentence.

“HIV does not deprive anyone of a better future. I am living like any other person and I have recovered fully and went back to my initial state of health,” said Motaung.

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