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Positively Me: :Daring to Live and Love beyond HIV
My name is Nozibele Mayaba, and I am HIV-positive.
I am a devout Christian who did everything by the worked hard, got good marks, found a steady job and helped to make life better for my family. In our neighbourhood, I was the girl other parents pointed to as a role model. Until a few months before my diagnosis at age 22, I was a virgin.
Women like me don't get HIV. But then I did.
It took me years to accept my new reality. Speaking out freed meand completely changed my life. Being HIV-positive wasn't my first challenge and it won't be my last, but it has been the hardest. It also taught me an important behind every statistic is a person with a name, a family, a story. This is my story.
My name is Nozibele Mayaba, I am HIV-positive, and I am still positively me.
An HIV-positive diagnosis may no longer be a death sentence, but it still changes everything. In this frank, vulnerable memoir, as told to acclaimed writer Sue Nyathi, activist and TV host Nozibele Mayaba talks about finding purpose when you think your life has come to an end.
I am a devout Christian who did everything by the worked hard, got good marks, found a steady job and helped to make life better for my family. In our neighbourhood, I was the girl other parents pointed to as a role model. Until a few months before my diagnosis at age 22, I was a virgin.
Women like me don't get HIV. But then I did.
It took me years to accept my new reality. Speaking out freed meand completely changed my life. Being HIV-positive wasn't my first challenge and it won't be my last, but it has been the hardest. It also taught me an important behind every statistic is a person with a name, a family, a story. This is my story.
My name is Nozibele Mayaba, I am HIV-positive, and I am still positively me.
An HIV-positive diagnosis may no longer be a death sentence, but it still changes everything. In this frank, vulnerable memoir, as told to acclaimed writer Sue Nyathi, activist and TV host Nozibele Mayaba talks about finding purpose when you think your life has come to an end.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2024
6 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 23, 2025
Raise your hand if you’ve ever started a book and finished it in a single day, because that’s exactly what happened to me with Positively Me by Nozibele Mayaba and Sue Nyathi. I’d seen this book making the rounds when it launched, but I only picked it up after spotting the audiobook on Everand (which I’m loving for finally giving us more South African titles!).
Listening to this book was an unexpectedly emotional journey. I cried more than once. Life can be incredibly unfair, and it often throws us into painful situations that feel impossible to survive, yet those same experiences can shape the stories that help others feel less alone. Nozibele’s honesty and vulnerability are so powerful, and her courage shines through every chapter.
One thing that hit me deeply was the exploration of love: how, when we are young, we sometimes love too hard, give too much, and overcompensate for people who don’t love us with the same care. Those early experiences can leave us scarred, but this book reminds us that healing isn’t only possible, it’s transformative. We get to choose love again, and choose it positively.
And I have to say, I’m incredibly happy that Sue Nyathi worked on this book. She’s one of my favourite South African authors, and her touch is felt throughout the narrative, elevating the story, deepening its emotional impact, and giving it a beautiful literary rhythm.
Positively Me is more than a memoir. It’s a story about resilience, self-acceptance, and reclaiming your narrative even when the world has tried to write it for you. It left me inspired, tender, and full of admiration for Nozibele’s bravery.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves memoirs that speak truth with both softness and strength.
Listening to this book was an unexpectedly emotional journey. I cried more than once. Life can be incredibly unfair, and it often throws us into painful situations that feel impossible to survive, yet those same experiences can shape the stories that help others feel less alone. Nozibele’s honesty and vulnerability are so powerful, and her courage shines through every chapter.
One thing that hit me deeply was the exploration of love: how, when we are young, we sometimes love too hard, give too much, and overcompensate for people who don’t love us with the same care. Those early experiences can leave us scarred, but this book reminds us that healing isn’t only possible, it’s transformative. We get to choose love again, and choose it positively.
And I have to say, I’m incredibly happy that Sue Nyathi worked on this book. She’s one of my favourite South African authors, and her touch is felt throughout the narrative, elevating the story, deepening its emotional impact, and giving it a beautiful literary rhythm.
Positively Me is more than a memoir. It’s a story about resilience, self-acceptance, and reclaiming your narrative even when the world has tried to write it for you. It left me inspired, tender, and full of admiration for Nozibele’s bravery.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves memoirs that speak truth with both softness and strength.
June 19, 2024
I was fortunate to attend Nozibele's book launch on Saturday, 8 June this year. What a beautiful, humble, inspiring soul Nozibele is. If you haven't read her book, please go out and get it. This is a book about a little girl who believed in her dreams, who was determined to be the first graduate in her family, despite her difficult circumstances. She speaks about her initial struggle with coming to terms with her HIV positive status and how she uses her testimony as a beacon of hope. She sacrificed her life physically, emotionally and spiritually for her family. A book of resilience, courage, bravery and most of all forgiveness. I would highly recommend this book. Such a talented South African author and motivational speaker.
June 25, 2025
This book is very insightful and very educational and does not give boring memoir vibes. There are chapters that are easy to resonate with if you're a child who grew up with strict parents. Her journey is unique and detailed beautifully.
I judged the author for not seeing the red flag in Sbu, more so after she tested positive, and Sbu was just there not trying to handle the situation or explain what happened. I'm very glad everything worked out for the best in end.
I judged the author for not seeing the red flag in Sbu, more so after she tested positive, and Sbu was just there not trying to handle the situation or explain what happened. I'm very glad everything worked out for the best in end.
June 29, 2025
Her vulnerability is so strong and just makes you want to read more. Her life is not perfect like everyone else’s life but her willingness to still find her feet in Christ irrespective of her past is inspiring. It’s like I was reading her diary , it’s well written and an easy read. She is living truth that we are not to be condemned as Christians.
January 9, 2025
One of the best I've read in a hot minute! I needed this. Twas such a great read. Once you start, you don't want to stop. I highly recommend
June 26, 2025
One of the best memoirs I have ever read. Enjoyable and I learned a thing or two about purpose and the journey to one's destiny.
August 5, 2024
A phenomenal read. Highly recommend for the young, black, girl child. Nozibele's story is one of growth, faith and self-love ultimately. If only there were 10 stars!🤲🏿⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews