Nkosi Johnson: Who was the pioneering child campaigner?

Google are paying tribute to the late Nkosi Johnson with a doodle

South African activist Nkosi Johnson was only 12 years old when he died. At the time, in 2001, he was the longest-surviving child born with HIV.

Born Xolani Nkosi to an HIV positive mother, he was adopted by Johannesburg public relations officer Gail Johnson after his mother became unable to look after him.

Nkosi was thrust into the public eye in 1997 when he was refused entry to school because he was HIV-positive.

The decision fast gained attention, leading to South Africa’s constitution being amended to put in place anti-discrimination policies, banning schools from turning down children based on their health.

The school then allowed Nkosi in, the same year that his mother died.

Together with his adopted mother, Nkosi went on to campaign for children with Aids.

He spoke at numerous high-profile events, including being keynote speaker at the International Aids Conference, where he said: “Care for us and accept us – we are all human beings. We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. We can walk, we can talk, we have needs just like everyone else – don’t be afraid of us – we are all the same!”

The pair created Nkosi’s Haven, an NGO still active today that provides treatment and support for families affected by Aids.

The International Children’s Peace Prize was created in 2005 in honour of his efforts to raise awareness of Aids. The award – known as an “Nkosi” statuette – is given to someone who has promoted children’s rights.

Nkosi died in 2001 and is buried in Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.

Today, Google is paying tribute to the young campaigner on the anniversary of his birth – 4 February 1989 – with a doodle by artist Kevin Laughlin.