The HIV/AIDS Centre at the Durban University of Technology hosted its annual candlelight memorial service at the Steve Biko Campus food court, last Friday (16 May 2014). This year, the service was held in honour of the late Jan “Mkhulu” De Groot, who was a HIV/AIDS activist .

The memorial was attended by DUT students, lecturers, Aids activists and various other NGOs and stakeholders. Jonathan De Groot, Jan’s son, paid tribute and narrated his father’s journey up until he passed away.

Jan was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at the age of 68 and lived with the virus for 20 years. He tested positive for HIV/AIDS whilst he was donating blood. Jan was born on 10 January 1962 in Holland and he was raised in Indonesia. He joined the AIDS Foundation South Africa in 1994 where he started working as a volunteer

“My father was a hero to many other people, he was my hero, he faced many challenges, first being the Japanese concentration camps. After leaving there he moved to Europe to find that the world economy had collapsed. In 1993 he moved to Johannesburg where he now faced another hurdle, as a man with no job yet he knew no failure, “ said Jonathan.

At the age of 63 he climbed the highest mountain peak in Peru, when he had returned he was diagnosed with severe case of pneumonia whilst still battling with prostate cancer. He also told us that he had HIV/Aids, we were so ignorant, there came a time where I didn’t even want to share the same cup he drank from in 2000.

Executive director of the Aids Foundation in South Africa, Debbie Mathew, spoke fondly of Jan, whom she got to know quite well as he was an active member of the foundation.

“Jan was a volunteer for 20 years and no matter how sick he was, he was always at the office volunteering his time. Whenever there was a comrade in distress he was always there. He was the oldest man in the world who was on ARV’s, he always said test, test and always test,” she said.

Patrick Mdletshe-Provincial Chairman of the Treatment Action Campaign said , “There are 2.6 million people who are on treatment in South Africa, whilst 6.5 million are infected on a national basis. Young people are at risk and it is sad that even though there is information everywhere people are still being infected. What one should know is that teenage pregnancy goes hand in hand with HIV/AIDS , so be safe always.”

Oziel Mdletshe- Health Promoter at the HIV/AIDS Centre at DUT, concluded the service by saying AIDS knows no colour.

“Living with HIV/AIDS is not about being black or young, however it is important to know your status at all times. Jan was like a father to me and was there during my darkest hours in my life, so get tested and know your status,” he said.

Caption

DUT students light a candle in memory of late Jan “Mkhulu” De Groot.

Philiswa Xulu