The First Zambian Person who declared his HIV/AIDS positive Status in Public in 1990 has died at age 47 .
Mr Winstone died today Wednesday morning at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after an illness.
The late Mr Winstone Zulu was born in 1964 in Lusaka, the sixth born in a family of thirteen children. After being diagnosed with HIV in 1990, he became the first individual in Zambia to publicly acknowledge his HIV status.
In 1997, he contracted TB and, with access to effective medicines and treatment, was cured of the disease within that same year.
Today, two-thirds of all Zambians suffering from tuberculosis are also HIV positive, a deadly combination which cuts one’s life span needlessly short.
Winstone knew from experience the devastation this co-epidemic can cause. Tragically, he watched his four brothers
die from TB as a result of a lack of access to the anti-TB drugs that would have cured them and extended their lives.
These experiences made Winstone one of the prominent global advocates on the dangers posed by the increasing spread of TB.
As one of the few African activists who was involved in the global health movement on AIDS from its earliest stages, he was able to recognize the threat that TB poses on the modest successes of HIV/AIDS control.
Nelson Mandela said of Winstone, “There have been so few TB survivors who have stepped forward to share their stories. We need more advocates like Winstone to tell the world about TB and the effect it has on so many millions of people.”
“TB treatment gives patients more time. If my brothers had survived TB they might have lived long enough to access HIV drugs like me. They shouldn’t have died.”-Winstone Zulu
Winstone’s experiences and actions made him a leader in TB advocacy and spoke volumes to the social attention and political will that can be generated by just one individual using his voice.
Patriot
October 12, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Sad that he s died.was an inspiration to many in the fight against hiv and aids. Mhsrip
nomba ninshi
October 12, 2011 at 4:41 pm
MHSRIP. it takes great courage to do what the man did…
Norman Gondwe
October 12, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Rest in peace brotherman.
We chalo
October 12, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Rest in peace Winstone. Thanks for the courageous step you took, it has inspired and given us a helpful perception of HIV/AIDS
Mwishikulu Sata
October 12, 2011 at 4:47 pm
MHSRIP……………..
Kaseby
October 12, 2011 at 4:47 pm
MHSLIP
Will definetly miss guys like these, strong and Courageous. He rily was an Idol for most of the people in the country living with HIV/AIDS. Peace.
snr citizen
October 12, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Brave young man rest in piece winnie we shall meet on the other side.
jo
October 12, 2011 at 4:49 pm
rest in peace. we need not to live in denial, Winstone accepted and lived a +ve life. we must do the same. we have all we need today unlike in the past, please lets make use of the drugs at our disposal
Suwi
October 12, 2011 at 4:49 pm
MHSRIP… Sad news indeed. He was such an inspiration to many and helped people live with the disease without shame.
chikondi malama
October 12, 2011 at 4:50 pm
May your soul rest in peace my brother. You were a vigillant fighter, you never rested until god said yes, now you can rest.. may our kind lord comfort your family. RIP gallant fighter..I just pray oneday there will be a CURE for HIV/AIDS.
Katongo(Chingola)
October 12, 2011 at 4:56 pm
So sad!
Chiti Chanda
October 12, 2011 at 4:58 pm
You were so courages to come out in the open at that time when people would even avoid sitting next to an infected person. MYSRIP.
msana wanzili
October 12, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Winstone you were a top man and a real man. Very few of us would do what you did for mankind. Go well mate. MYSRIP.
Mbuzi
October 12, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Learn to attribute. Where u got the story.
Kopala!!
October 12, 2011 at 5:23 pm
May the comfort of God help his family during this difficult time. MHSRIP
Donchi kubeba
October 12, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Damn son!! MHSRIP, if any of you learnt anything is use those condoms guys. even when she says “am safe, i wont get pregnant and am not Positive” he taught us a lot…a damn shame
Independent Observer
October 12, 2011 at 5:25 pm
MYSRIP,you were really brave, i could call you a hero. We may be that way too. Best regards to your family.
Mwila frm kitwe
October 12, 2011 at 5:28 pm
You made a many of us realise dat there life after hiv
HOW?
October 12, 2011 at 5:29 pm
May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace. Winston would have wanted the world to know what caused his death as he was on ART, anybody got answers?
Wactaw
October 12, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Really sad that he has passed on. We have to appreciate that he fault a good fight and the Good Lord will reward him. Many people commit suicide upon knowing their statuses. Today being HIV+ is just like suffering from any other disease. MHSRIP
Candy
October 12, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Sad news indeed im touched
nicholas
October 12, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Rest in peace big man
ADADA
October 12, 2011 at 5:41 pm
When AIDS was a death sentence, it took a giant to come out in the open. We have lost one. But not without a fight. MYSRIP
Dorcas Zimba
October 12, 2011 at 5:53 pm
may your great soul rest in enternal peace.you were indeed a GREAT MAN.
Lyn
October 12, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Sad development.remember him from school during one of his hiv awareness programmes.he truly was an advocate.condolences to the family
kurtis
October 12, 2011 at 6:16 pm
he was one brave brother. at least you openeed up the door for others my man…rest in peace
zulu
October 12, 2011 at 6:17 pm
mhsrp
god knows our destiny
styles
October 12, 2011 at 6:19 pm
I only knew him 4 a short whie and indeed Winstone was one of them,the few that care for not only themselves but humanity as well.I pray i go to heaven to see him again.May your soul rest in peace, brother.
HIV/AIDS is not the end and he showed that.
Chimpapi
October 12, 2011 at 6:25 pm
M.Y.S.R.I.E.P bro sad to lose u at such a very productive age we will greatly miss u.
lunar jim
October 12, 2011 at 6:30 pm
very sad. he was so inspirational. so encouraging. so sad.
Edgar Kambanja
October 12, 2011 at 6:48 pm
May his soul rest in peace, will be missed by that what to see an HIV free world.
bigga figga
October 12, 2011 at 6:59 pm
bane sex efyo yaba kwali nabambi tamwaishibe the idea is kufwaa bane,no sesntiments you only live once and once is all you need bafikala no sympathy for the DEVIL you cheat on your wives lelo ati m.h.s.r.i.p. fuck you,be faithful or die motherfka some games you play some games play you.amatole yale mi pwa.
king Mamba
October 12, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Ninshi iwe ? Insele ninshi shabafye mukanya ? Styopeti
Lungowe
October 12, 2011 at 9:26 pm
so what have u achieved nensele shonse isho? you know what?shut up and go to hell, beef directed at a dead man is the epitome of all cowardice.
maria
October 13, 2011 at 3:56 pm
mmmh mafiga nayiwe so uncalled for!
hkm
October 12, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Sad development indeed.God be with you till we meet again brother.
Mo taim
October 12, 2011 at 7:17 pm
MHSRIP
GUEVARA
October 12, 2011 at 7:32 pm
i watched him first when i was about 16 or 17 and now am 30 and out of motherland i thought then that i should be careful about sexual life but hey its hell. has he left any pubications in literature.RIP
Ubuntungwa Mu Jambo Jambo
October 12, 2011 at 7:46 pm
May the Soul of our departed bro rest in peace. Your stance on what was a hard issue in society has saved many a life. Go well bro.
TUCHILI TULE BEBA
October 12, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Winstone May your soul rest in peace…..
camp D
October 12, 2011 at 8:03 pm
MYSRIP,, We shall remember you courage.
francis sakala
October 12, 2011 at 8:07 pm
too for such a person die when so many people needed his inspiration and messages of hope. bravo WINSTONE. ODE!
francis sakala
October 12, 2011 at 8:07 pm
too bad for such a person to die when so many people needed his inspiration and messages of hope. bravo WINSTONE. ODE!
konvikt
October 12, 2011 at 8:09 pm
mhsrip
Jack Silwimba
October 12, 2011 at 8:14 pm
You were such a dearlin winstone.we will miss you
RB worst President in History.
October 12, 2011 at 8:34 pm
RIP. Sad you didnt live to see the action man turn this country round from the mess RB created.
BS
October 12, 2011 at 9:20 pm
may yo soul rest in peace we will miss u big man
Nubian Princess
October 12, 2011 at 10:32 pm
The Winstone Zulu Center for Health – Govt, do something, this is a pioneering Zambian.
Damel
October 12, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Brave heart, MHSRIP
Sir Morga
October 13, 2011 at 12:56 am
HIV & AIDS was believed to be a sexual armagedon which came to wipe out humanity,but our brother opened minds of people,how to live positive life,Hamba Khale Qawe Lama Qawe.Man,MYSRIP.
ziman
October 13, 2011 at 6:50 am
MHRIP Courageous brother. Ba Biggie whatever they call you grow up out of all blogs you are the only one who wrote insults. It simply shows that you are a dimwit who needs delvesance at church. Stop putting up yo comments as we dont want insele
osborn mutapa
October 13, 2011 at 8:07 am
Rest in peace you were an inspiration to the young generation of HIV/AIDS advocates.yours was a life worth leaving and you have indeed left a legacy.SLEEP IN PEACE
bragadino
October 13, 2011 at 8:22 am
Hero Winstone -MYSRIP – You were a blessing!
Hey ba Bigga ma figga,Kwateniko amano!Why ukumpotela Sex when you also need a fuck!Our basis for life should not be Fear of Death but LIFE itself, and remember that Sex has been around for as long as we came into existence.And for your own info people die more in Africa from other diseases than AIDS.Research is there to show.If you have Cholera for 3months I guarantee you die,but if you were HIV+,most likely you gonna live for the rest of your life,30 years +/-.Abash stigmata!And actually what seems to be killing people has got nothing to do with sex but lack of knowledge.Ask Thabo Mbeki he will tell you.Lyashi ilitali.You may even discover that SEX has got very little to do with AIDS.Here mu Africa ba Ma figga,AIDS is a myriad of complexities.So te cheating of wives and devils like you ponti!Here in ZED for instance,we know very little of diseases like Gornorrhea and other STIs,and these are real killer diseases.UN seems to do very little about malaria and aka swende but talk more of AIDS which has very little answers.So far what I know is that AIDS is a confusing disease,but more money spent on the fully unknown than the known and harmful(Other dizizez).So pliz do your own research on these issues.Infact what kills people is not diseases but “LACK OF KNOWLEDGE”.Hosea 4:6.So simply we ZEDIANS may die more compared to guys in advanced NATIONS,for real!!!!!!!!So ba ma figga,just improve your sex life and someone will stop cheating on you.If you perform badly,definately some1 MUST run away from some1 coz sex is a natural need like water/Vitamin D, no matter how prayerful you may be.Actually as a “PONTIFF GENERALLE CAPITANAS(High Priests/men of God)” we need it more for good preaching.At least I never trained myself to have an ERECTION,is it ELECTION? but God gave one at birth.AM thankful to HIM for that and I dont bind it but loose it more! DISLAIMER : This is not intended as Medical advice.Am no Doc hey!
maria
October 13, 2011 at 3:57 pm
well said