Just like that his life changed. You never quite know and yet we continue to gamble. Make no bones about it: it is gambling because you never know.  

You never know unless you bring it up.

You never know until it’s too late.

You never know unless you ask.

And that’s why I’m doing this.

Hi, my Name is Brian Manthenga and I would like you to talk about it. I would like you to acknowledge the possibility, the chance, that the person that you are with may be HIV positive and next it might be you. It is time that you arm yourself with knowledge. HIV is not a death sentence but it is a wakeup call to change your ways so you can live a healthy life; a life with support and the right medication to maintain your wellbeing.

Now I watched my friend struggle with the disease and tried to negotiate his way through but he lost his struggle. It took me a while to come to terms with his passing, it seemed so unfair - a life cut short. We live in New Zealand and sure, the incidence of HIV is lower but it is not zero – HIV is in New Zealand too.

The person you just met last night might have HIV.

You never know. Ask. Get tested. Get It On. Talk about it.

HIV is in our communities. HIV can happen to your brother, your sister, your uncles, cousins, friends, neighbours and it’s up to us to ensure it does not spread. In fact the only thing that should be spreading is the message to protect yourself and the people you care about and Get It On.

It’s up to us because if we do not stand up now we will watch the world fall down.