Today earlier, the Tshwane South TVET College had a conversation “HIV Still Needs Our Attention” with different speakers, raising awareness of HIV to students and communities.
A guest speaker, Thulina Moukangwe from Community Media Trust ‘As’bangene Campaign’ shared boldly her inspiring journey of positively living with HIV and educating young people and communities around the stigma of being positive.
She said that most people die because of what people say, charity begins at home so help yourself first by seeking help.
“It was never easy, the psychological therapy helped me in accepting and being able to talk about it,” Moukangwe added. She says that she attended therapy for 3months and still go there whenever she needs to talk.
Moukangwe disclosed that there is a continuous stigma of HIV because people have little knowledge, and never bother to learn about the issue at hand until they get HIV positive.
It took her time to educate and make her family understand the disease living inside her. She said, “Allow family to get mad at you, that is how they process circumstances and they will eventually accept.”
The Centurion Student Support Coordinator, William Mogodi says in order to get students to engage in conversations about HIV and getting more knowledge it is suggested that the college must add lessons on HIV to the curriculum.
“When you deal teenagers, not everyone will be interested so this must be part of the curriculum,” added Mogodi.
Mogodi advised students to get more involved, never be concerned about who knows about your status.
“Students must start utilising Student Support Services which are free of charge at all institution of higher education,” Mogodi added.
