MENTOR MOTHER PORTRAITS
ABOUT THE PORTRAITS
This series of photographs—produced by African NGO mothers2mothers (m2m) in collaboration with Dazed Media—demonstrates that living with HIV neither defines an individual, nor limits their potential. Cameron Ugbodu, the multi-disciplinary artist behind the portraits—which were shot in Cape Town, South Africa in 2023—was inspired by meeting the women at the heart of m2m’s work, who are known as Mentor Mothers, and wanted to elevate them as art, highlighting their strength, beauty, and resilience. Mentor Mothers are women living with HIV, trained and employed as community health workers, who are leaders and role models in their communities and who deeply understand the challenges their clients face—having overcome their own. They are redefining what it means to be an African woman living with HIV. Mentor Mothers are steadfast in their commitment to end AIDS and ensure everyone, everywhere can access the health care they need.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Cameron Ugbodu, aka "See You," is an autodidact Nigerian and Austrian multidisciplinary artist living and working in London. Through their work, Cameron investigates family histories, identity, and queerness.
Busisiwe
Site Coordinator and Mentor Mother, Cape Town, South Africa
This is Busisiwe. She has worked as a mothers2mothers (m2m) Site Coordinator since 2021. The health facility where she works is critically understaffed, and Busisiwe’s role is to manage m2m Mentor Mothers and make sure they are well integrated into both the clinic and the community. Her team play a crucial role in assisting doctors and clinical staff, as well as making visits to homes, schools, and community centres to meet and educate individuals who might avoid health facilities due to fear of stigma and long wait times, ensuring everyone gets the care they need.
“The woman who changed my life is my mother, Cecilia. When I told her about my HIV status, she supported me completely. She helped raise my child, taking care of them from age 6 to 18 while I was working. I am grateful to have such a supportive parent. Without her support, I don’t know where I would be today.”
Amosa
Community Mentor Mother, Cape Town, South Africa
This is Amosa. She has worked as a mothers2mothers (m2m) Mentor Mother in her community outside of Cape Town, South Africa, since 2020. Amosa shares her HIV status and health journey with clients to help challenge stigma and encourage them to open up about their health. As a Mentor Mother, Amosa serves as a bridge between the heath facility and people in her community, guiding families through the health system, providing referrals, and ensuring m2m clients receive the care they need.
“The woman who changed my life is my mother. She has always been there for me, no matter what challenges I’ve faced. When I told her about my HIV status, I was so scared, thinking she might reject me. Instead, she helped me understand that this was not the end of my life and taught me how to be strong for myself and my child. It’s because of her that I am able to stand on my own today. My mother showed me what it means to truly love and care for others. She will always be my role model.”
Phumeza
Community Mentor Mother, Cape Town, South Africa
This is Phumeza, a mothers2mothers (m2m) Mentor Mother from Lwandle outside of Cape Town, South Africa. Her story proves that your life is defined by what you do, not what happens to you. Phumeza is a survivor of rape, which led to her positive HIV status. Her incredible courage in the face of trauma has allowed her to help other women overcome similar situations, demonstrating that it’s possible to live a happy and healthy life with HIV.
“The woman who changed my life is Mentor Mother Millicent Magwa. When I was struggling to accept my HIV status and didn’t want to take my medication, Millicent helped me understand that HIV is not a death sentence. She gave me health information and encouraged me when I was feeling lost. Millicent even helped me apply for a job at m2m. This job was a breakthrough for me, it allows me to provide for my two daughters as a single parent.”
Nobom
Community Mentor Mother, Cape Town, South Africa
This is Nobom. Nobom works as a mothers2mothers (m2m) Mentor Mother at Ikwhezi Clinic outside of Cape Town, where she supports her clients to take control of their health, sharing her own experience of living with HIV to help them accept their status and get the treatment they need to stay healthy. Nobom knows first-hand how difficult it can be to disclose one’s HIV status, but after being diagnosed during her first pregnancy, m2m supported her to overcome this challenge. Inspired by her own experience as an m2m client, Nobom joined the organisation in 2019.
“The woman who changed my life is my friend, Andisiwe. When I was struggling to accept my HIV diagnosis, she was there for me every step of the way. She encouraged me to take care of myself and motivated me by sharing her mother’s story. Her mother has been living with HIV for years and has managed her health well. Hearing about her journey made me realise that an HIV diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of a healthy life. This support gave me the strength to start looking after myself and to be open about my HIV status. Because of Andisiwe, I’m now able to support others in similar situations, giving back the encouragement and hope I received.”
Esther
Linkage Assistant—CHAMP Programme, Mpumalanga, South Africa
This is Esther. Esther met mothers2mothers (m2m) after she was diagnosed with HIV during her first pregnancy. She was fearful for the future, but her Mentor Mother, reminded her that 'there is life after HIV.' Through the support she received from her Mentor Mother, Esther went on to give birth to an HIV-free baby. This experience inspired Esther to become a Mentor Mother herself, and she joined m2m in 2009. Today Esther works in Mpumalanga as a Linkage Assistant, identifying orphaned and other vulnerable children and adolescents living with or exposed to HIV, connecting them to health care and other social services, and ensuring they have the support needed to thrive
“My aunt, Sonto, is the woman who changed my life. She was the first family member I told about my HIV status and she never judged me. She encourages me to take care of myself so that I can stay strong for my kids. She cares a lot about education, and when I told her my son was struggling in some subjects, she arranged a tutor for him. Even though we live far apart, she is always there for us and tells me she’s proud of me.”
Chwayitha
Community Mentor Mother, Cape Town, South Africa
This is Chwayitha. Chwayitha met mothers2mothers (m2m) in 2019 while attending a health education talk at Ikhwezi Clinic, which prompted her to get tested for HIV. When her results came back positive, she was shocked. Chwayitha’s nurse encouraged her to seek support from the Mentor Mothers at the clinic, who helped her come to terms with her diagnosis and take control of her health. Today, Chwayitha works as Mentor Mother based in the same clinic. Each day she uses her own lived experience to transform lives in her community.
“The woman who changed my life is Millicent Magwa, my Mentor Mother. She has been there for me during my hardest times, especially when I first found out I was living with HIV, and she encouraged me to live a full life despite my diagnosis. She has shown me the importance of staying positive and caring for myself, and she continues to inspire me every day. Millicent is my role model and has shaped the way I support others as a Mentor Mother.”