“A remarkable life of struggle and triumph interrupted by the stigma of HIV/AIDS”
- Olwam Mnqwazi

#IAmStillMe is a book based on my life living positively with HIV since 2013.

Growing up, I never saw my life different. There was nothing out of the ordinary. I thought I had a fairly happy childhood. I was 10 years old when I saw my mother crying for the first time. My brother had just finished his last year of school and needed to go to University.
Ma didn't have money. They reluctantly approached my father for assistance. After a lot of dilly dallying, my father and his wife made it clear that they were not willing to contribute. The circumstances surrounding our births were at play. Not only were we born out of wedlock, we were also a reminder of an affair between our parents.

While retelling how the meeting went to a friend, she let out an involuntary cry. I remember the moment very well, it sent shock waves to the pit of my stomach. I couldn't do anything but to cry with her. It would be this moment that I started to understand the severity of a struggling, single mother

I made a vow that I would work tirelessly to provide my mother a life where she would never have to cry again. At 12 years old, I had sacrificed my weekends and school holidays working at a local supermarket. I matriculated at 16 years old. After securing a full scholarship, I went to become the first University graduate in my family. I hadn't even graduated yet when I secured a permanent job at a multinational company in Port Elizabeth. By the time I was 20 years old, I had already built a successful career for myself, while creating a stable life for my family.

At 21, I thought I should start living my own life. I met a gentleman that promised to marry me. At the time, I had kept myself a virgin, with the intention of giving myself to my husband. I fell in-love. I made the decision to have sex for the first time. August of 2013, while participating in a wellness day program, my HIV test came out positive. I was shocked. I was disappointed. I was scared. I kept my status a secret from my family for 5 years. I silently battled with depression and suicidal thoughts.

Join me as I take you on a journey.

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Order your book now. Please see details below: 

Bank: Capitec Bank
Account Name: Miss N Qamngana
Account Number: 1401574767
Branch Code: 470010
Reference: Your name and surname

Book and courier cost (South Africa) – R350

Kindly send your POP and physical address to noziqamngana@gmail.com

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