Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - Sunday 21 April 2002
"Life is a challenge and we must face it," says Kate, who glares at her unending challenges with enormous courage, determination and a fighting spirit. In 1999 two men broke into her house in KwaThema, Gauteng and raped her.
After hearing rumours they might be HIV-positive, she went for a test and found she was carrying the virus.
"I tried to commit suicide," she says sadly. "But with counselling, I began to accept my status."
Her problems didn"t end there. The following year she was raped again and diagnosed with throat cancer.
You"d think all this would have broken Kate, but it hasn"t. Instead, she uses her experiences to help those in similar situations. She went for counselling and was introduced to the National Association of People Living with HIV/Aids, a group that counsels people affected by HIV.
"I met positive people who live positively and I saw that I wasn"t alone," she says. "I was very depressed and kept asking questions like, "Why did God do this to me" and "What did I do that was so wrong?" but the people I met at Napwa made me strong. I realised giving up wouldn"t help me, so I decided to help people."
Kate is now a counsellor and visits HIV-positive people in her community. "I help them see that being HIV-positive isn"t the end of the world, and give them my love, care and support." She visits schools, churches and clinics in KwaThema and Orange Farm.
"Talking really helps. The more I talk, the more I feel free inside," she says, smiling. "Sometimes people point fingers at me, but I don"t care. It just means I"m bringing more awareness about HIV."
Kids in the community would often come up to Kate and ask how they could help, so she started Napwa Youngsters for 9- to 15-year-olds. They give out info on Aids and rape through drama, songs and traditional dance. On Saturdays, the kids are taught counselling skills.
Kate is also part of the Napwa Survivors Group and gives support to women who"ve been raped, encouraging them to help and empower each other. She also helped to start a support group for abused women, called Women in Action Against Abuse. The group helps women with court cases against abusive husbands and also supports HIV-positive women who"ve been abandoned by their partners.
So how does Kate manage to stay so motivated? "I don"t know where I"d be if I didn"t have the support of Napwa, my brother and friends," she says.
"Sometimes life doesn"t go the way you want it to and you get stuck. You just need people to help you get up." Helping people also helps her.
Before all this happened, Kate wanted to become an accountant or go into public relations, but now she plans to become a nurse.
"I just want to work in communities who need it. I never thought I was helpful, but after all I"ve been through, I"ve discovered there are lots of people who need help out there, " she says. "I want HIV-positive people to be strong and proud of themselves. Although our blood has this virus, we are still human beings who can lead normal lives and fulfil our dreams."
This is a truly courageous young woman from whom we can all learn. She makes most of our problems seem insignificant. If you aren"t inspired by her guts and heart, then nothing will inspire you. Kate Mazomba is what being a groundbreaker is all about.
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