Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

International

Thembi, a Year Later: Life with HIV

Thembi Ngubane is one of the 5 million South Africans living with HIV.

Last April, All Things Considered broadcast Ngubane's radio diary, in which she chronicled her story: telling her family about her HIV status, her relationship with her boyfriend, having a child, confronting the stigma associated with AIDS in South Africa.

In March, Ngubane's documentary, which was produced by Joe Richman at Radio Diaries, was broadcast for the first time in South Africa — in English and Zulu, as well as in her native Xhosa language.

Advertisement

Following a speaking tour in the United States, Ngubane, now 22, took her story to South Africa, where she currently is. There, she is speaking to local groups and the government about HIV and AIDS.

Ngubane talks to Melissa Block about her health, what her life has been like since her radio diary was first aired, and what her plans are for the future.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Fact-based local news is essential

KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.

Without federal funding, community support is our lifeline.
Make a gift to protect the future of KPBS.