IPM Mourns Loss of Prudence Mabele

We are deeply saddened by the death of a friend and colleague, Prudence Mabele, or Pru as she was affectionately known. Pru fought gallantly as an activist for people living with HIV since the early 1990s, when she bravely disclosed her HIV status. She lived with tenacity and perseverance to advance the rights of people living with HIV, particularly women and adolescent girls. She inspired many of us working in the field to forge ahead in making sure that HIV and other sexual and reproductive health issues are kept on South Africa’s national agenda at all costs.

Her support of our work in microbicide research reminded us that the value of our efforts depends on our collaboration with the people in our communities and that their voices continue to be important when we do find methods that work. We will always be moved by her continued support of the endeavor to find prevention methods that not only protect African women from HIV but also empower them.

We offer our deepest condolences to Pru’s sisters and brothers in the activist community and her colleagues at SANAC and Positive Women’s Network. May you be consoled by a spirit that will forever ignite your cause! 

Lala ngoxolo sis Pru!
International Partnership for Microbicides