Success stories

The Challenge:

“Technology holds the key to unlocking a new era of HIV prevention in South Africa.”

— Deputy President Paul Mashatile, World AIDS Day 2023

South Africa carries the heaviest HIV burden in the world, with over 8 million people living with the virus. Despite decades of awareness campaigns, stigma, misinformation, and lack of accessible education still put young people at risk.

On World AIDS Day 2023, Deputy President Paul Mashatile called for new, innovative solutions that could bridge the gap between knowledge and action. He emphasized the power of technology in making HIV prevention more engaging, accessible, and stigma-free for young South Africans.

Without trusted, accessible, and stigma-free resources, many young people are left uninformed, vulnerable, and at risk.

Just a few months later, in April 2024, a groundbreaking initiative answered this call.

Key issues this initiative aims to overcome are:

• Cultural and linguistic barriers: South Africa’s diverse population needed a multilingual solution, so the chatbot is designed to support English, isiZulu, and Sesotho.
• Stigma and privacy concerns: Many young people fear being judged when seeking information about sexual health. A digital, anonymous chatbot provided a safe alternative.
• Lack of engagement in traditional campaigns: Integrating with a conversational AI platform could help offer interactive, personalized responses rather than static one-size-fits-all messages.

The Impact:

The #ForeverWena campaign is empowering 70,000+ young South Africans in their fight against HIV.

 

Shifting the narrative on HIV

One of the most significant achievements of #ForeverWena is its ability to change the way young people talk about HIV. Instead of fear-based messaging, the campaign focuses on empowerment, self-care, and making informed choices.

As Deputy President Mashatile highlighted in his speech, HIV prevention efforts must evolve alongside the needs of the younger generation. Digital solutions like #ForeverWena provide a way forward, ensuring that every young person in South Africa has the tools and information they need to protect themselves and their future.

The campaign is backed by influential voices like rapper Cassper Nyovest, former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, and radio host Unathi Nkayi, helping to destigmatize HIV prevention.

what's next?

The future of #ForeverWena lies in leveraging the powerful zero-party data collected through the campaign to expand the scale of education

 

While the campaign has already made an impact, there is more work to be done. Insights from the chatbot experience are shaping future developments, including:

• Expanding the health reminder opt-in system to increase engagement
• Reducing drop-off rates by refining chatbot interactions
• Exploring the potential for similar digital interventions in other high-prevalence regions

 

#ForeverWena is proving that AI, conversational messaging apps like WhatsApp, and health education can come together to redefine HIV prevention.

The result? More young people empowered with knowledge, making informed choices, and taking control of their health – one conversation at a time.