Thembi Ngubane – sharing her HIV journey
Represent would like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to Thembi Ngubane from Khayelitsha, a brave and courageous young HIV+ South African woman who is telling her personal story both digitally and through touring both the US and SA to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thembi turns only 22 today and judging from her story, has single-handedly done more for the fight than many corporates or businesses have through her Radio Diaries project. She spent a year recording her life and experience of living with HIV/AIDS, her haunting words can be heard at the AIDS diary Project. Be strong sisi, we love you.
My name is Thembi Ngubane and I come from a township outside of Cape Town in South Africa called Khayelitsha. I look taller in these pictures than I really am. I am currently doing a tour of my country speaking about what it is like to live with HIV and AIDS. This all started with an audio diary that I began to keep in 2004 to be broadcast on National Public Radio in the United States. At first I wanted to keep my identity anonymous. But I began to love the diary and it became part of me. At the same time people around me were dying of HIV and AIDS so I felt that I had to disclose. I was invited on a five city speaking tour in the US in 2006 presenting to high schools, colleges, community centers and even for places like CNN and MTV. At this point I saw people”s positive response and I decided that this documentary must also reach people South Africa. Reaching people with my story in South Africa is the most important thing I have done. This is because in my country everyone is either infected or affected by this disease. This blog is a recollection of this two week tour of my country.
