Gauteng TAC members and volunteers reflect

The provinces are the heartbeat of the TAC. People are the heartbeat of the TAC. This is where we get our hands dirty. This is where the real work happens. TAC would be nothing without our more than 8 000 members. We proudly share some of their reflections on the TAC and 10 years of ARVs.

If it wasn’t for the TAC, I do not think people would have access to treatment. There is still lack of tracking of children who were born with HIV before ARVs were available.
– Simphiwe Dlamini

As someone who takes ARVs, I have become a positive role model in my community because of the healthy life I live.
– Anastasia Nelly Zulu

Without ARVs I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t be able to see my child grow.
– Sibongile ‘Bongie’ Xaba

Life expectancy has increased due to access to ARVs.
– Thandi Ngubeni

A lot of lives have been saved This was not only a TAC victory but a victory for the whole country.
– Luckyboy Mkhondwane

I am very grateful; it shows that today people die voluntarily because they do not want to adhere to treatment.
– Jabu Manana

Nowadays people die of AIDS by not taking the treatment that is available to them. The funeral business has gone down and we are walking tall knowing that we are covered.
– Boni Madikoe

Although we lost some of the comrades winning this battle meant a lot. I have had the privilege of seeing my children growing up
– S’bongile Mlotshwa

It means a lot because even the poor that couldn’t afford treatment before can now access treatment for free.
– Oupa Nkosi

People’s lives were saved including mine and my daughter’s, when ARVs became publicly available.
– Phindile Madonsela

We fought every day and we did not sleep. It was a great victory. I do not see myself leaving TAC because I am part of its history.
– Nobesuthu Mazibuko

A lot of lives have been saved but now we are left with the challenge of making people adhere to treatment.
– Bangani Ngidi

Now we have to focus on teaching people about the treatment because some still fear that their bodies will deform from it.
– Edwin Sello

People are living longer; they only default because they want to.
– Jeremiah Maseko

To me it means elongated lives of people and the undertakers losing business.
– John Ntsoseng

People are living longer and healthier lives now and it is easier for them to disclose unlike before.
– Jabu Mahlangu

I am happy that people have access to ARVs. It is a great achievement. People are no longer dying like before.
– Solomon Mabena

The mortality rate has decreased. Mother to child transmission rates have also declined since the introduction of ARVs.
– Christopher Ramashiya

I was one of the first people to get ARVs in 2004. ARVs woke me up from my death bed. I am still living strong because of them.
– Michael Mhlanga

ARVs have side effects but people need to engage with our programmes (TAC) for them to learn more about them.
– Lungile Thamela

People couldn’t disclose their status due to stigma. ARVs have improved people’s lives drastically.
– Tsomadi Nthoba

TAC has played a very important role in helping people gain access to treatment and that has saved a lot of lives.
– Senzo Zwane

Many lives have been saved. Without ARVs a lot of strong leaders and people we look up to would not be alive today.
– Nthabiseng Maretlane

Adherence is slowly increasing after the introduction of the fixed dose combination.
– Maria Mokhesi

People have a tendency of stopping treatment when their CD4 counts have increased.
– Themba Nkosi