Three years have passed since I photographed women living with HIV and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in Gugulethu, a township in Cape Town. I recently returned to the country to attend the biennial UN HIV/AIDS conference in Durban, and I tried to find three women I met in 2013.
Of the three women, Lutango and Fundiswa have become statistics, memories; they died just months after I photographed them, from tuberculosis.
Their children and grandchildren were taken in by neighbors and relatives. Only Orianda is still alive, though most of her family has succumbed to the epidemic too.
Lutango, 2013
Lutango Nompumelelo, 42, washes before going to the hospital. She shared her bed with her children Mcepisi and Akhona. 2013, Gugulethu, Cape Town.Misha Friedman
2016
Mcepisi, 15, after his mother, Lutango, died of tuberculosis in 2013. His younger sister was adapted by her biological father. He now lives all alone and is supported by neighbors.Misha Friedman
Fundiswa, 2013
Fundiswa, 34, at a church where she sang. This photograph was taken in 2013. Fundiswa died in September 2013.Misha Friedman
2016
Likhanyise, 6, poses for a photograph at the same spot in a church where his grandmother Fundiswa was phototgraphed three years ago. Fundiswa died in September 2013.Misha Friedman
Orianda, 2013
Orianda reflects on how she felt when she found out about being diagnosed with HIV and tuberculosis in this photograph taken in 2013, Gugulethu, Cape Town.Misha Friedman
2016
Orianda, 60, was first diagnosed with HIV and tuberculosis in 2013. She has recovered from tuberculosis, but has a cane and wears a corset to support her frail body. Cape Town, 2016.Misha Friedman
Remembering those lost …
Fundiswa, photographed in May 2013, died in September 2013.Misha FriedmanFundiswa at Gugulethu's Community Health Center. 2013.Misha FriedmanLutango Nompumelelo seen here in May 2013. She died in June 2013 after suffering from HIV and tuberculosis for many years. Gugulethu, Cape Town.Misha FriedmanLutango Nompumelelo in her backyard. 2013, Gugulethu, Cape TownMisha FriedmanSputum collection room at Gugulethu's Community Health Center, 2013.Misha Friedman
Three years have passed since I photographed women living with HIV and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in Gugulethu, a township in Cape Town. I recently returned to the country to attend the biennial UN HIV/AIDS conference in Durban, and I tried to find three women I met in 2013.
Of the three women, Lutango and Fundiswa have become statistics, memories; they died just months after I photographed them, from tuberculosis.
Their children and grandchildren were taken in by neighbors and relatives. Only Orianda is still alive, though most of her family has succumbed to the epidemic too.
Lutango, 2013
Lutango Nompumelelo, 42, washes before going to the hospital. She shared her bed with her children Mcepisi and Akhona. 2013, Gugulethu, Cape Town.Misha Friedman
2016
Mcepisi, 15, after his mother, Lutango, died of tuberculosis in 2013. His younger sister was adapted by her biological father. He now lives all alone and is supported by neighbors.Misha Friedman
Fundiswa, 2013
Fundiswa, 34, at a church where she sang. This photograph was taken in 2013. Fundiswa died in September 2013.Misha Friedman
2016
Likhanyise, 6, poses for a photograph at the same spot in a church where his grandmother Fundiswa was phototgraphed three years ago. Fundiswa died in September 2013.Misha Friedman
Orianda, 2013
Orianda reflects on how she felt when she found out about being diagnosed with HIV and tuberculosis in this photograph taken in 2013, Gugulethu, Cape Town.Misha Friedman
2016
Orianda, 60, was first diagnosed with HIV and tuberculosis in 2013. She has recovered from tuberculosis, but has a cane and wears a corset to support her frail body. Cape Town, 2016.Misha Friedman
Remembering those lost …
Fundiswa, photographed in May 2013, died in September 2013.Misha FriedmanFundiswa at Gugulethu's Community Health Center. 2013.Misha Friedman
Lutango Nompumelelo in her backyard. 2013, Gugulethu, Cape TownMisha FriedmanSputum collection room at Gugulethu's Community Health Center, 2013.Misha Friedman