Siyabonga Makhonkxa was 17 years old when he was raped by unknown men on his way home from a party in the Eastern Cape.
Makhonkxa, who recently marked his 18th year living with HIV told the Cape Times he had been sharing his story in the hope of inspiring others to believe that there is life after contracting the virus.
A night of fun turned tragic after he was offered a lift while walking home from a party.
“I attended a student event at a university in the Eastern Cape with my friends. Unfortunately I lost my friends at the party and could not find them.
“After long hours of waiting I made a decision to walk home, thinking I would catch a taxi along the way.
“But I couldn’t find any taxi at the time as it was already very late at night. While walking, a car had thankfully stopped and offered me a lift,” Makhonkxa said.
The car had a tyre puncture along the way and when the occupants were standing outside waiting for one of the men to change the tyre, something hit him at the back of his head and he fell down.
“That is when I was raped. I remember begging them not to kill me. Then they just left me there.
“I was shouting for help and there was a village man who saw me. He assisted me and took me to hospital. The doctor confirmed that I was raped.
“I was so scared and traumatised. I never even told my family about what happened to me. I kept it to myself and started to withdraw from friends and all social activities.
“Then my aunt took me to a doctor. The doctor suggested due to the symptoms I had at the time I should do an HIV test. The test came back positive and that is when I told my family about everything that happened,” he said.
After learning about his status, Makhonkxa said his journey to acceptance was long and difficult.
“I was angry and I did not understand why this had to happen to me.
I did not want to accept it at all or to continue living.
“There was also a lot of stigma surrounding the virus at the time. I was scared of telling people about it. I was still a young boy. I didn’t even know men could rape other men.
“Now when I look at these past years I smile and laugh. Because there was a time I did not want to accept my status at all. Those times I would not even take my treatment. But now I am proud of the strength I have,” he said.
Molo Songololo director Patric Solomon said South Africa has made good progress against HIV prevention, testing, counselling and treatment of HIV/Aids.
“Many infected children, youth, men and women are enjoying a full and happy life with correct support, care, medication and treatment.
“Today it only takes one pill a day to keep HIV infection under control. What is needed is to encourage safe sex practices to reduce non-consensual sex and rape, and for the speedy rollout of medication that prevent infections, and ongoing public education,” he said.
Cape Times