Nkosi Johnson

Nkosi Johnson has a big impact on public perceptions of HIV in his short life. Born with HIV, he is adopted when his mother becomes too unwell to look after him. Aged 8 he is refused admission to school because of his HIV status, turning him into a young activist. Aged 11 he gives a moving speech to over 12,000 participants at the International AIDS Conference calling for government action. He also founds Nkosi's Haven, a refuge for HIV-positive mothers and their children. Nkosi dies in 2001, aged just 12 – the longest surviving child born with HIV at the time.