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5 MINUTES WITH PHINDILE SITHOLE-SPONG

20 Feb 2012
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According to your tweets, ‘HIV, Sex & Me’ on page 20 of our February issue hit home. In it, Phindile Sithole-Spong tells of her aim to ‘rebrand’ her illness and reclaim her sexuality after learning that she’d been born with HIV. Her strong, touching story in ELLE brought the recent UCT graduate to the attention of the World Aids Conference. We went to find out more.

Phindi

HIV, Sex & Me

You recently tweeted: Been chosen as the African youth delegate for the world aids conference! Thanks @ELLEmagazineSA , @AnnelizeVisser and everyone else! YAY

What does this entail?

Being an African youth delegate means I have to attend Living 2012, the 13th International Conference of people living with HIV, in Washington DC and also the main conference, AIDS 2012, that follows immediately afterwards. I will be expected to voice my opinions and views on HIV/Aids in Africa and make suggestions for halting the spread of HIV/Aids and eradicating the stigma around it.

Do you have a personal catchphrase?

I have many but two that ring true to my life thus far are ‘Maktub’, which is Arabie for ‘It is written’ and Marianne Williamson’s words: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’

Where do you see yourself in three years’ time?

Wherever I am supposed to be. When I graduated I never imagined that I would be doing half the things that I am doing now. Whatever it is, I hope to be helping and inspiring people. When I was little, I wanted to be a chef and later a dancer. Now I just want to be happy and make a difference.

What are your immediate plans, before leaving for the US?

I am currently working on a project called 100FACES that will take place in Jo’burg on 14 April. It will bring together 100 infected and affected people for a day of workshops, talks and bonding. I strongly believe that before we can preach ‘a HIV-free generation’ we need to look at what the current infected generation is feeling.

One thing we don’t know about you?

That I’m not perfect and have insecurities. After reading the article I wrote for ELLE people thought I was this brave and very secure person, but, honestly, I sometimes get scared too and have typical girl problems.

The best advice you’ve ever been given?

Recently my mom told me to embrace who I am. I wanted to make a difference from behind closed doors and suddenly everything I did became public knowledge, so now I’m getting used to the idea and embracing it.

What’s the last book you read?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It came at the right time.

 

the_alchemist

What’s on your iPod?

Everything. My mood determines what I listen to, so I can go from Sade to Kanye West.

 

Ipod

 

Dream job?

I have so many that I no longer have just one. I do, however, dream of writing a book – once I get over my fear of influencing people.

Who is your role model?

My mother. Life gave her a daughter with HIV/Aids and she gave it a leader. I have no idea how she did it but she did.

Comments

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nombongo on 2/20/2012: So inspired by this article,in all honestly we can never understand other people's plights in life and i think it is when they stop being afraid that they inspire the those who have been blind, to be like ok what is going on here how can i help. It is a sad reality and perhaps it shows us that we are all so afraid of ourselves infected or not that we dont know the good we can do
norma on 2/20/2012: I love u angel, I wish you all the best in everything you do.
Tshego on 2/22/2012: Inspiring and encouraging article.Loved it. All the best. Where can I get details about the 100Faces workkshop?
zama hlophe on 3/17/2012: Phindile Sithole’s story is to me not just a story about an individual and HIV but about the struggles most of us are faced with in life. The regrets of our past and our fears for the unknown. The never ending feeling of being in limbo...waiting and not quite sure what it is that you’re waiting for. Reading about Phindile’s struggle with HIV reminded me of myself, the self I had lost to fear, the fear that keeps us imprisoned in our own lives, unable to break free and reclaim our lives as strong young women. I wish that every women in doubt would read this story, it did me wonders and I’ll for ever be grateful to a stranger who let me into her life to help me reclaim mine.
RBHIV on 4/24/2012: Hi all, thank you for the wonderful feedback. We are so happy Ms Sithole-Spong's message has been able to touch all of you. for any information on the 100 faces workshop or anything else regarding RE| Branding HIV (RBHIV) , please email sthembile@rbhiv.zo.za or tweet us @RBHIV or join our facebook group www.facebook.com/RBHIV. We are aware the date stated in the interview is 14 April, however it was moved. So spread the word!!