“Being on PrEP means I have the power and control over my sexual health, and I want to empower others through my testimony.”
Vincent Nkosi, popularly known as Vee kaNkosi takes his role as the Key Populations Ambassador for The Aurum Institute’s POP INN project to heart.
“After such a positive experience at a POP IN clinic, I couldn’t keep it to myself. To walk into a clinic as a gay man and find people like me and draw attention for my positive energy and not because of judgment, is so refreshing. I can actually say it’s lifesaving because discrimination can literally drive people away from seeking health care,” said Nkosi.
His vibrant character caught the eye of POP INN staff and he was ultimately invited to be an ambassador for the project, which offers free sexual health services to Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender Women (TGW) across South Africa.
Since then, he has taken part in promotional videos, photo shoots and hosts Facebook live sessions on www.facebook.com/PopInnHealth, with the exuberance, excitement and dynamism associated with the POP INN brand.
“I’m a loving and energetic person and I think that resonates with people. I’m a POP INN client so it’s not like I’m telling people about services and treatment I haven’t experienced first-hand, I think all of these things make the partnership work really well,” he said.
While the ambassadorship has changed his life, Nkosi is more fulfilled by the change he is making to other people’s lives. “We are particularly vulnerable to HIV and STIs as MSM, as well as TGW, so to be able to engage on sexual health and encourage prevention or treatment, and advocate for the dignified treatment, is something I am very proud of.”
Nkosi is the face of POP INN’s new Under My Umbrella campaign to promote the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). He recently travelled around the country as the MC of the launch events. “It was a great experience. Sharing my story and listening to others share their story, really showed how important spaces like the POP INN clinics are for our health and psychosocial needs,” said Nkosi.
