new book strengthens people living with hiv

By Jabulani Dube (Fellow)

SOUTH AFRICA – 28 November, 2008: Mercy Makhalemele from Mercy Aids Foundation officially launched Fabien Nové- Josserand’s book, MY LIFE WITH ALPHONSE Living with HIV at Constitution Hill on Thursday 27 November.

Makhalemele, an HIV activist, motivational speaker and founder of Tsabotsogo Consultancy, an organisation that deals with HIV at workplace said that the book explores the “uninvited guest” which is HIV into people's lives and encourages them to acknowledge the virus’s existence in their bodies.

Launched just two days before World AIDS day, the book encourages people to embrace life while they are living with virus and offers hope. 

In this book Nové- Josserand talks about trials and tribulations of living with HIV.  He made it clear that his point is not about surviving but living with HIV as he has been has been living with HIV for 25 years.

“My life has been varied, exciting, frustrating, sad, happy, interesting, boring, promising, and disappointing – and so what? Isn’t that how everyone’s life is? Why should mine be any different just because I carry a deadly virus? I have stayed alive because I have taken care of myself – although I have pushed the boundaries many times – and I have always been responsible about my situation”, he said.   

He added that since the advent of anti-retroviral therapy in South Africa there has been hope “however, people use all excuses claiming that treatment is unaffordable but spend more than R500 on alcohol",Nové- Josserand pointed out.

Meanwhile Makhalemele said that people diagnosed with the disease should not let themselves down by being ignorant.

“Many people die from AIDS related diseases because of fear which is caused by ignorance”, she said also highlighting the importance of talking openly about sex.”

 She communicated a need to promote positive thinking and promoting proper treatment. 

“There is expectancy of 69 years of living with the disease, as long as one takes proper treatment”, Makhalemele revealed. 

Concluding, Nové - Josserand said his book is about facing up to life’s challenges and that it was conceived out of love.

“We can not afford to look on and do nothing about this disease. HIV is no longer a death sentence that it was once thought to be”, he declared.

Diagnosed in 1983 at the age of 23 Fabien seems to be refusing to succumb to the disease as he continues to spread the “word of life and hope.”

“I hope my story will give hope. If it only touches one person, my purpose will have been achieved. If it breaks one person’s preconceived ideas about HIV and allows one sister to lend a hand to her infected brother, it would have been all worth it – tenfold!”