From YouTube, to television
YouTuber and HIV advocate Nozi Mayaba breaks the stigma, one story at a time.
Since 1990, the face of HIV has changed around the world. Living with the disease is no longer a death sentence, especially as more info about the illness and advocates like Nozibele Qamngana Mayaba educate and comfort those about their HIV status.
The 31-year-old started empowering fellow HIV-positive individuals on YouTube and she was listed as one of 2022’s YouTube Black Voices. That was just the boost she needed to become the host of new reality lifestyle show Yes, I Have HIV.
The show focuses on different guests disclosing their status to loved ones. “It came unexpectedly. I didn’t envision that this is the direction my advocacy would lead me,” says Nozi. “I remember when one of the producers reached out to me to find out if I was interested, I was initially very reluctant because I’d never done TV so I didn’t know what I was going to do. But he kept emphasising that they wanted the show to be real and authentic, and that’s what they found my channel did. It felt natural for me to relate to the stories and carry the show.”
HELPING FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
Although we’ve come far in the fight against HIV, the reality is that stigma is still one of our biggest challenges, which makes a show like this important. “Before I was diagnosed in 2013, I would always preach that HIV is not a death sentence and people should not be afraid to accept their status. But when it happened to me, I thought it was different,” shares Nozi. “I’d thought I was going to lose weight and that people were going to see that I’m HIV positive. I had a tough time dealing with my status which is why it took me six years to disclose it to my family,” – something many young people struggle with and will hopefully be helped through watching the show.
“I have worked in HIV NGO (NonGovernment Organisations) settings and I have seen first-hand the new HIV infection rates. If HIV is no longer a big deal, then we shouldn’t have 13-year-olds who’re pregnant, we shouldn’t have 13-year-olds who are getting infected or having unprotected sex. Until we have zero infection rates or a cure, we can’t say that HIV is not a big deal.”
EDUCATING A NATION
Nozi hopes that the show shines light on how hard it still is for people to disclose their HIV status to their partners without fear of rejection, resulting in them infecting others. And Nozi says it will also teach viewers what they may not know about the virus, especially those who may not have access to resources.
“There were many fond moments like in this one episode where this guy revealed his status to his best friend,” shares Nozi. “The friend was worried and thought that the guy was dying and I asked why he would think that. I then disclosed I was HIV positive too and he was so surprised. It was a moment where we could educate him on the disease and how it affects differently, how it works and how he could continue to protect himself and be there for his friend.”