Themba Mbonani (August 1971 – 22 May 2003) was a talented photographer whose creativity often graced the pages of the Teacher. He battled against the odds that come with being uneducated and from an impoverished background to pursue his passion for images.
Themba tested positive for HIV/Aids in 2002, and it became his fervent wish to share his insights and experience of being positive with society. These are some of Themba’s thoughts on disclosure, and how facing up to his disease brought him
comfort and purpose:
‘Thank God I now know I’m HIV-positive. I have now started to work hard to accomplish things, unlike before. In the past I would start working on something and then leave it unfinished and then
start on something else. I have become more focused.
‘I am happy that I disclosed my status to my family and friends. They gave me all the love and support I need. This to me was a first step to healing.
‘My advice to people — young and old, infected or not — is to arm yourselves with information on HIV/Aids and be involved in fighting the disease so that when it comes closer to you, you know how to deal with it and where to go for help.
‘No matter how thin I look or how dry and dark my skin has become, I’m still the same person I was before I was infected. Life goes on.â€
Themba had a gentleness and courage that touched so many who met him. He captured his vision of the world through his lens; his memory is captured in our hearts.
Hamba kahle,
Themba.