The HIV/AIDS Centre at the Durban University of Technology hosted its annual Candlelight Memorial at Steve Biko Campus (Food Court Area) today (16 May 2014).

DUT students, academic staff, NGO’s and various other stakeholders came along to witness tributes that were paid to the late Jan De Groot; a phenomenal man and HIV activist who gave a new meaning to the term “living positively.”

Diagnosed with HIV at the age of 68, De Groot had lived with the virus for 20 years. He tested positive for HIV whilst he was donating blood. Jan’s son; Jonathan De Groot, was at the event where he shared fond memories of his father as well as paid tribute to his father who had been a volunteer of the AIDS Foundation South Africa and had been instrumental in playing a part in helping educate people on the disease.

– Philiswa Xulu