Paying Tribute to Legendary South African Aids Activist David Ross Patient

Carte Blanche will tonight pay tribute to South Africa’s legendary HIV/Aids activist and motivational speaker, David Ross Patient, who sadly passed away last week at the age of 56. (Available for expats to watch from Tuesday.)

David became world renowned after he conquered his own diagnosis and brought hope, humour and motivation to thousands.

He survived for an astonishing 34 years after his initial HIV diagnosis in 1983, being one of the first people in the world to prove that being HIV positive isn’t a death sentence.

David had been admitted to hospital last week and in one of his last posts to his supporters before his operation, he demonstrated his wonderful humour with a message saying: “I almost got kicked out of the hospital just now. Apparently the sign ‘Stroke Patients Here’ meant something different?”

Sadly he succumbed to pneumonia after surgery, on 22 September, and his heart stopped. His partner Neil said in the end David did not die from AIDS, nor from the superbugs. “He died because his body was just so tired from one operation after the next.”

On 23 September David’s final update was posted posthumously. It read: “Well I guess if you are reading this update, I’m history. Yup, I died…. finally… shit it took long enough! (if I were you I’d ask for proof!).”

He asked that people not be sad or mourn for him.

“Rejoice in my life as it was a full and deeply meaningful one. I am an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life all due to circumstances that crossed my path. I live in hope and always trusted my instincts as often they were my only guide. I have had amazing lifelong friendships of 30 and 40 years; I have had two incredible relationships with partners whom I loved, adored, respected and admired.”

His final wishes were: “Be kind. Kindness costs nothing. It need not be a grand gesture. A simple smile while looking someone in the eyes as you pass in the hall. Saying please and thank you. Acknowledging that the person in front of you exists. If they have a name tag, call them by their name. Be present with that person. The Zulu greeting is Sawubona and directly translated that means ‘I SEE YOU!’

“Don’t squander time… you’re only a breath away from being a corpse yourself. It’s only when time is running out that you really get its value. Don’t wait to tell those you love that you love them. Stop assuming ‘oh well, they know’… tell them and do so often.

“Cry until it’s funny and laugh yourself to tears… take off the mask and be vulnerable. Vulnerability is a strength not a weakness.

“And don’t wait too long to find the funny side of any situation, no matter how dark.”

The tribute to David will be aired on Carte Blanche tonight at 7pm on M-Net, DStv channel 101, and again at 8pm on M-Net Plus 1 channel 901. Expats can watch the show from Tuesday on Showmax International – subscribe here (free 14 day trial).