She was five months pregnant and eagerly awaiting the arrival of her son when Loyiso Lindani received the earth-shattering news that she was HIV-positive.
Testing for the first time in her entire life, Lindani said although she had mentally prepared herself to accept whatever outcome there was, the news still came as a great shock to her.
The year was 2006, Lindani was in East London at the time and she had come to the conclusion that she was going to die soon after the birth of her son.
“I was shocked when I found out even though I had told myself to be brave and not show it because I had a mantra that regardless of the results, I would be fine with it,” she said.
“Initially I wasn’t coping at all because I was afraid that I would die soon and this scared me because dying meant not being around to raise my child and that used to hurt me a lot. I didn’t breastfeed my little one but I wish I had.
“Due to fear and lack of knowledge I was afraid of transmitting the virus because at the time I had so many misconceptions, limited access to information and I just didn’t know what was right or wrong so I opted for formula instead.
“If I could go back I would definitely breastfeed because I would love to have that experience with my newborn, now I know that if I am a healthy mom, who takes her medication daily and should I choose exclusive breastfeeding then I am able to do so without fear of infecting my baby.”
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended because mixed feeding carries a greater risk of transmission. Lindani is one of one-fifth of South African women in their reproductive ages who are HIV-positive.
According to the Statistics South Africa mid-year population estimates released last year, the total number of persons living with HIV in the country has increased from an estimated 4.02million in 2002 to 6.19-million last year.
The statistics show that an estimated 11.2% of the total population is HIVpositive.
In a story which appeared in the Daily Dispatch in 2012, Buffalo City Metro recorded the highest HIV prevalence in the Eastern Cape, with one in three being infected. This information was sourced from the National Antenatal Sentinel HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Survey revealed by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. According to the survey, BCM’s prevalence stood at 34.1%, the highest in the Eastern Cape. BCM was followed closely by Joe Gqabi with a prevalence of 29.9%.
The area with the lowest prevalence in the province was Cacadu with 25.8%.
Locally, the Eastern Cape Aids Council have identified three main drivers of HIV infections, which include early sexual debut, multiple partners and teenage pregnancies.
In a statement released ahead of World Aids Day, which falls on December 1, the Aids Council said the day sought to highlight and educate the public on these social drivers. This is the path Lindani took after years of dealing with the judgments and the pain of disclosing her status to those closest to her.
After making the brave decision to come out to the entire world in an effort to set herself free, the young woman started Power Talks with Loyiso Lindani, a platform where people living with HIV are inspired, empowered and motivated towards reaching their goals, dreams and ambitions – regardless of the obstacles and challenges they may face in life.
With a firm support system behind her which consisted of her friends and family, the new mother said it was after her coming out that she had the inspiration to start a media company two years ago – Media Maniacs – which she uses as a platform for her Power Talks. The company also offers communications, events, photography and film services.
“I was just tired of being judged and experiencing so much pain from disclosing my status as it had come to a point where I was no longer sure what to do, to disclose or not and either way I was getting judged so I thought to myself : You know I’m tired of this double life, where people have mixed feelings about my status and it affecting me so negatively so why not let the whole world know and see what happens.
HIV taught me how to love myself
Testing for the first time in her entire life, Lindani said although she had mentally prepared herself to accept whatever outcome there was, the news still came as a great shock to her.
The year was 2006, Lindani was in East London at the time and she had come to the conclusion that she was going to die soon after the birth of her son.
“I was shocked when I found out even though I had told myself to be brave and not show it because I had a mantra that regardless of the results, I would be fine with it,” she said.
“Initially I wasn’t coping at all because I was afraid that I would die soon and this scared me because dying meant not being around to raise my child and that used to hurt me a lot. I didn’t breastfeed my little one but I wish I had.
“Due to fear and lack of knowledge I was afraid of transmitting the virus because at the time I had so many misconceptions, limited access to information and I just didn’t know what was right or wrong so I opted for formula instead.
“If I could go back I would definitely breastfeed because I would love to have that experience with my newborn, now I know that if I am a healthy mom, who takes her medication daily and should I choose exclusive breastfeeding then I am able to do so without fear of infecting my baby.”
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended because mixed feeding carries a greater risk of transmission. Lindani is one of one-fifth of South African women in their reproductive ages who are HIV-positive.
According to the Statistics South Africa mid-year population estimates released last year, the total number of persons living with HIV in the country has increased from an estimated 4.02million in 2002 to 6.19-million last year.
The statistics show that an estimated 11.2% of the total population is HIVpositive.
In a story which appeared in the Daily Dispatch in 2012, Buffalo City Metro recorded the highest HIV prevalence in the Eastern Cape, with one in three being infected. This information was sourced from the National Antenatal Sentinel HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Survey revealed by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. According to the survey, BCM’s prevalence stood at 34.1%, the highest in the Eastern Cape. BCM was followed closely by Joe Gqabi with a prevalence of 29.9%.
The area with the lowest prevalence in the province was Cacadu with 25.8%.
Locally, the Eastern Cape Aids Council have identified three main drivers of HIV infections, which include early sexual debut, multiple partners and teenage pregnancies.
In a statement released ahead of World Aids Day, which falls on December 1, the Aids Council said the day sought to highlight and educate the public on these social drivers. This is the path Lindani took after years of dealing with the judgments and the pain of disclosing her status to those closest to her.
After making the brave decision to come out to the entire world in an effort to set herself free, the young woman started Power Talks with Loyiso Lindani, a platform where people living with HIV are inspired, empowered and motivated towards reaching their goals, dreams and ambitions – regardless of the obstacles and challenges they may face in life.
With a firm support system behind her which consisted of her friends and family, the new mother said it was after her coming out that she had the inspiration to start a media company two years ago – Media Maniacs – which she uses as a platform for her Power Talks. The company also offers communications, events, photography and film services.
“I was just tired of being judged and experiencing so much pain from disclosing my status as it had come to a point where I was no longer sure what to do, to disclose or not and either way I was getting judged so I thought to myself : You know I’m tired of this double life, where people have mixed feelings about my status and it affecting me so negatively so why not let the whole world know and see what happens.
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