Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - July 6, 2003
Futhi Ntshingila
She is a healthcare worker who cares for hundreds of people living with HIV/Aids.
On Monday Mochadi's years of toil were recognised when she received the Khomanani Health Worker Excellence Award from the Department of Health for her work in caring for people living with HIV/Aids. At a ceremony held at the presidential guest house in Pretoria, Mochadi received a R50 000 bursary to attend an international Aids conference in Uruguay later this year.
"I am very excited and am looking forward to it. I think it would be interesting to hear from other countries how they deal with sexually transmitted infections and Aids," she said.
Mochadi, 43, is a nurse who got involved in the fight against HIV/Aids as part of her work with communicable diseases at St Rita's Hospital in Limpopo.
She began by volunteering as a lay counsellor, helping people to prepare mentally for HIV tests and assisting them to cope with receiving their results.
"Around 1997 stigmatisation of people diagnosed with HIV/Aids was rife and I wanted to fight against that," said Mochadi.
She was motivated by her strong belief that nobody had the right to discriminate against anyone. "I love all people unconditionally. When I work with patients I feel that I am a tool. They trust me," she said.
Three years ago Mochadi decided to expand her work by starting a support group for people who provided care for HIV/Aids sufferers at home, instead of at a hospital. Today she works with 75 caregivers and 150 lay counsellors whom she has trained.
Mochadi has become such an integral part of the community that many people living with Aids call on her in their desperate hours.
Traumatic
Too often, she has found herself holding the hands of people as they take their last breath. "It's very traumatic and most challenging when they are on the verge of dying. Most of them die in my presence. They need me to be there," she said.
Agnes Mamushi found support from Mochadi after she discovered she was HIV-positive, following the death of her husband from the illness.
Mochadi supported her through her husband's funeral and gave a speech at the service. "Monicca has been my angel who came at the time when I needed her the most," said Mamushi.
Mochadi is also a pastor at Uitkirk village where she has involved the church's youth in the fight against HIV/Aids. "If we don't start with educating the young, it will become difficult when they get older," she said.
One youngster who has been particularly influenced by Mochadi's work is her daughter, Thembi, who is in Grade 10 and wants to become a medical doctor. "My mother is an outstanding woman. I am very proud of her," she said.
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