Busisiwe Maqungo (28) had her suspicions that she was at risk of being HIV positive long before receiving confirmation via a test. In fact she was told her baby was HIV positive, before undergoing a test herself.
“I am not saying it was my ex-boyfriend, but I just didn’t trust him and he was always sick. I had my suspicions, but never really acted on them.”
Last year Maqungo gave birth to a baby girl.
“The baby was really ill and the doctor said we should do an HIV test as it was unusual for a baby to have pneumonia and diarrhoea at such a young age,” says Maqungo.
“I didn’t expect the results to be positive, so it was really a big shock when they told me. At that stage it wasn’t even the fact that it meant I was HIV positive as well. I was only concerned about my baby and trying to keep her alive and healthy until they find a cure.”
It was later confirmed that the father of the child was also HIV positive.
“I think I was denying the fact that I was HIV positive. When I finally accepted I asked God why he did it to my child. Why not only me?”
Nomazizi was nine months old when she died on January 31 this year,
“After her death I was prepared to disclose my status. Since then my friends have supported me. I feel healthy and strong at the moment and I still hope that something will be found to cure me.”
