South Africa
Our Impact in South Africa

Success Story

Millicent Magwa—Community Mentor Mother Coordinator Cape Town, South Africa
Diagnosed with HIV at the height of the pandemic in South Africa in 2002, Millicent relied on a television programme that aired once a week to access information about how to live a healthy and positive life. At the time, HIV treatment was very expensive; most people could not afford it and many died from AIDS-related illnesses. Now, 21 years later, Millicent is working as a Community Coordinator for mothers2mothers and is dedicating her life to providing the health education and services she wished she had access to when she first tested positive. Based at m2m’s Innovation Hub in Cape Town, Millicent and her team are delivering integrated primary health care services that go well beyond HIV. She is now actively screening clients and their families for noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. With her kit bag, Millicent conducts blood pressure and blood glucose checks and links clients to health services at the nearby Ikhwezi Community Clinic. She monitors progress, encourages her clients to adhere to treatment, and offers lifestyle education and advice to help them better manage their health and well-being.