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Nokubonga Yawa

“Embrace what life has given you today as you never know what tomorrow might bring. Use the power that you’ve got to make a change.”

At the age of 15, Nokubonga “Bonga” Yawa’s life changed dramatically. She fell pregnant and her subsequent HIV test came back positive.

She joined a PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission) support group, which gave her support and strength and when she was eight months pregnant she was able to take AZT and give birth to an HIV negative baby girl, Sinaye, now seven years old.

Bonga decided to join a support group and learn more about HIV & AIDS. She wanted to empower herself and prevent others from getting HIV. In order to break down widespread stigma, she has been open about her status.

“I joined TAC (the Treatment Action Campaign) in 2004 and started attending Saturday workshops. I also joined a group for teenage mothers where we were taught a range of skills.” Nokubonga was a full-time volunteer before taking up paid positions for her work.

When CMT approached her to feature in a Siyayinqoba Beat It! show on teenage pregnancy in 2007, the charismatic young woman with a ready smile, agreed to share her story to reach young people beyond the Western Cape. CMT subsequently asked her to become the host for Siyayinqoba Beat It! in 2009. “I’m not a trained journalist but I do my work whole-heartedly!”

Nokubonga receives lots of letters from viewers, comments on Facebook as well as phone calls in response to every Siyayinqoba Beat It! show. “Some have told me that I am the only reason they take their treatment, the only one doing something for them. But there are many people who fought for access to ARVs, this is my way of contributing,” she explains. “And I must make sure that those who are HIV negative stay like that!”

Some of the topics Nokubonga feels strongest about are gender violence, abuse and education: “Children and teenagers really need someone to talk to about sex,” Nokubonga argues. “It doesn’t help to be shouted at and avoid the issues. If parents were more involved it would make a difference.”

At present, she is working full time as a youth group leader at Equal Education (EE), an NGO, which is working for quality and equality in South African education. A lot of children at confide in her; some have told her they are gay and fear coming out to their families or communities.

As a young person who has received counselling, accepted her status and is openly living with HIV, she is a role model to the community. Nokubonga has been on ARV treatment since 2005 and by sharing her story she encourages, inspires and motivates people around her: “I want to show people our humanity. That we are equal, we can work and are valuable members of this society.”