By Dineo Letjong
The University of Limpopo (UL), in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), recently hosted a campus wellness campaign focused on Tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and mental health at Onkgopotse Tiro Hall. The initiative aimed to arm students with vital information while tackling stigma and health challenges facing young people today.
Acting Director of Student Health & Wellness, Seponono Mampa, emphasised the importance of the campaign, “The campaign is about empowering students with the right knowledge,” says Mampa. “We want students to understand that reducing TB and HIV transmission starts with awareness, and that mental health is just as critical as physical health.”
Seponono Mamba, Head of UL’s Health and Wellness Centre. Photo by: Forgive Hlongwane
Mpho Shinwana, TB Programme Manager from the Limpopo DOH, educated students on how TB spreads and emphasized the risks of it lying dormant. “TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes. It often stays in the body without symptoms, then shows up when your immune system is weak, like when you have diabetes or HIV,” he explained. “Know the symptoms: persistent cough, night sweats, weight loss, fever.”
Mpho Shinwana, TB Programme Manager from Limpopo DOH. Photo by: Forgive Hlongwane
The link between TB and HIV was further explained by Maphuthi Mothiba, HIV Programme Officer of The Department of Health in Limpopo. “Regular testing saves lives,” she said. “We now have HIV self-test kits at clinics. Use them. Prevention methods like PrEP are available, and if you’re already positive, U=U undetectable equals untransmutable; is not just a slogan, its science.”
Maphuti Mothiba, HIV Programme Officer from the Limpopo DOH. Photo by: Forgive Hlongwane
Representing the National Department of Health, Zikhona Mpyana urged students to avoid normalising harmful habits like vaping and binge drinking. “There’s no such thing as a safer harm. All harms are harmful and it’s time we start taking our lifestyle diseases seriously,” she urged.
Zikhona Mpyana, from the National DOH, Adressing the dangers of non-communicable diseases. Photo by: Forgive Hlongwane
Rathabeng Mamabolo, a representive from No Excuse, shared his reality of living with HIV since 1996. “It’s not easy. One day you forget your meds, the next day you’re panicking about a cough,” he said, urging students to never skip doses. Echoeing the same sentiments of encouragement, Sister Connie Ramogale, a TB survivor from the Capricorn District DOH, shared her experience, “I finished my treatment because I wanted to live. Don’t stop halfway. Start early and finish strong.”
Rathabeng Mamabolo, From the National DOH, on the prevention of HIV. Photo by: Forgive Hlongwane
Sister Connie Ramogale, a TB survivor from th Capricorn district DOH. Photo by: Forgive Hlongwane
Rose Ngwakwane, Chairperson of UL’s Peer Educators, reinforced the importance of consistent treatment. “TB is curable. HIV is manageable. But only if you stay on treatment and stick with it,” she said. “Knowledge is power. With that power, you protect your body and your future.”
Rose Ngwakwane, Peer Educator Chairperson. Photo by: Forgive Hlongwane
In the dialogue session, students raised issues around pill fatigue, stigma, lack of clinic access, and peer pressure, where proposed solutions such as mobile clinics and peer support systems on campus were shared. Moreover, through expert insights, and student engagement, the campaign left attendees better informed, inspired, and empowered to take control of their health.
