Nozi reflects on her HIV diagnosis with grace and hope
Mapaballo Borotho
South African media personality, TV host, podcaster, and author Nozi Qamngana Mayaba has shared a deeply moving letter to her 22-year-old self, a message filled with vulnerability, grace, and encouragement.
The heartfelt post, published on Instagram, is a reminder to many that we should offer ourselves compassion for simply surviving with what we had at the time.
Her letter begins:
“Exactly twelve years later, Noz Noz… here I am, writing to you from a future you can’t yet imagine.”
The opening line alone was enough to draw her followers in, eager to read more of the message she had written to the young woman she once was.
Twelve years ago, Nozi’s life was shaken when she was diagnosed with HIV at just 22 years old. Like any young woman, she was terrified and overwhelmed.
Despite the education available about the virus, HIV remains one of the most stigmatised chronic illnesses in Africa.
For many, those three letters have carried a shadow of fear, shame, and hopelessness.
In her post, Nozi courageously revisited that moment:
“I know you’re scared right now. The weight of those three letters, HIV, feels like it’s pressing down on your chest, squeezing the air out of your dreams. You’re wondering if you’ll ever laugh without a shadow in your heart, love without fear, or wake up without the ‘what if’ hovering over you.”
She paired her words with pictures of her younger self, a 22-year-old woman whose innocent smile masked the uncertainty she felt about her future.
Yet, even in those photos, Nozi’s radiance shines through, hinting at the strength and resilience she would later embody.
Looking back now, she tells her younger self that life turned out better than she could have ever imagined. With compassion, honesty, and grace, she reflects on how far she has come not just in surviving but in thriving, despite the doubts and challenges along the way.
Today, Nozi is a celebrated TV host, podcaster, and author of the book Positively Me. She is also a powerful HIV and social issues activist, using her story to bring hope and healing to others navigating similar journeys.
For many, her words are not only a letter to herself but also a message to anyone who has ever felt crushed under the weight of their circumstances.
Nozi’s vulnerability is a gift, a reminder that even in the most painful chapters, there can be healing, joy, and a future brighter than we ever dared to dream
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