My courageous little friend, Nkosi

A DECADE ago, the world mourned the death of the world's youngest Aids activist, Nkosi Johnson.

On World Aids Day this week, his childhood friend, Eric Nicholls, wanted nothing more than to remind the world of his legacy.

''One thing that stands out for me was the day I went to visit him with my mom, and we sat by his bed chatting to him. He was comatose at that stage. I remember putting my fingers in his hand, and he grabbed it and wouldn't let go," said Nicholls.

Nkosi, who died aged 12, became a champion of HIV-positive mothers and their children.

The image of the pint-size boy in his oversize black suit addressing the 13th International Aids Conference in Durban in 2000, where he encouraged open and unbiased dialogue, captured the hearts of millions worldwide.

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."

It was a moment that Nicholls, now 22, will never forget. In 2002, he was awarded the Young South African Hero Award for taking the bold step to befriend Nkosi when other children were too afraid.

The two met as shy, bright-eyed eight-year-olds at Melpark Primary School in Melville, Johannesburg, in 1997.

Nkosi was born HIV-positive and was legally adopted by Gail Johnson after his biological mother had died.

He launched a battle against the school after it refused to accept him because of his status. The case thrust him into the limelight, and the school authorities later changed their minds.

One day, Nicholls saw Nkosi sitting by himself and introduced himself. They became best friends.

Nicholls, now a paramedic, said his friendship with Nkosi had irrevocably changed his life.

''I was nervous at first when I approached him, but you have to overcome that fear. I matured a lot from that friendship. After you get involved in discussion around HIV/Aids, its takes a level of maturity to deal with it at that age."

He added: "Nkosi was very bubbly and strong, no matter what he was going through. I was proud to be his friend and proud to be part of history."

As Nkosi's health deteriorated, he stopped going to school, and Nicholls visited him at home. He often sat on his bed and chatted to him - even after he had slipped into a coma.

Nkosi died on June 1 2001. Nicholls was at school when the news broke.

''It was an emotional day. I remember the funeral and church service in the [Johannesburg] CBD. I remember standing in West Park cemetery crying. It was a final goodbye to a friend. At 12, it was hard losing someone you had a relationship with."

He still visits Nkosi's grave in Johannesburg's West Park cemetery. ''I went by about six months ago. I try to go whenever I'm in the area, just to have a quiet moment with him."

A year after his death, Nicholls was invited to Sweden to receive the World's Children's Prize and the Global Friends' Award on behalf of Nkosi. ''It was one of the proudest moments of my life."

Gail Johnson, now the director of Nkosi's Haven, a refuge for destitute HIV/Aids-infected mothers and children, said the boys had a wonderful friendship. ''They were both very mature for their age, and Eric's friendship was important to Nkosi," she said.

Nicholls now lives in Roode-poort, west of Johannesburg, with his fiancée, Siobhan du Toit, and their 16-month-old son, Jayden.

He said he decided to become a paramedic because he loved helping people. ''I may not understand what a person with HIV is going through, but I can sympathise because I could see what Nkosi was going through.

"I've been on ARVs myself after I caught blood splatter from a patient. It's the most awful thing. You get really sick. I was on it for 30 days, and I can't sympathise enough with people who have it as a lifetime treatment."

He said parents needed to enforce education around the virus.

''We need to talk more about it to our children, to be open and educational. There is nothing to hide or to be scared of. To say you are HIV-positive is not a disgrace ... don't be ashamed."