Activist slams speculative joke about Dr Magudumana’s status

Social justice organisation, Soul City Institute, has slammed some social media users for using HIV/Aids as a punchline.

The organisation’s communications officer Akona Zibonti’s concern stems from a post of an X user, who suggested that Thabo Bester’s lover, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, is probably HIV positive and not coping with prison food.

Jail food is not for the weak.if you are HIV positive it will quickly kick in https://t.co/Dv9pskjTeM

— KUKU MOER (@koekemoer_no1) June 17, 2025

Magudumana appeared in court yesterday, looking more stressed than usual.

Zibonti says making jokes about other people’s health status shouldn’t be condoned.

She warns that it undermines the efforts of organisations, like theirs, to educate young people about HIV through campaigns like ‘Close the Gap’, which promotes safer sexual behaviour, increases awareness, and ensures access to youth-friendly healthcare services.

 Love Life’s senior counsellor, Malebo Makgaka, agrees with Zibonti. 

Makgaka says it’s appalling that some people still feel comfortable enough to make jokes about people’s status (irrespective of whether it’s true or not).

 She also warns that such conduct has far-reaching consequences.

 This conversation comes weeks after the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) revealed that the number of testing and monitoring of HIV in the country has dropped dismally.

 The decline is linked to the withdrawal of the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) funding.

According to NHLS, viral load testing has so far dropped by 21%.

Makgaka is urging South Africans to take charge of their lives and go for testing. She appeals to those who are living with the virus to take their ARVs, if needed.