At only 11 years old Nkosi Johnson delivered a self written speech in front of thousands of delegates and millions of TV viewers about his experiences living with HIV and issues around AIDS in South Africa that is as relevant today as it was then. He spoke about a disease that was killing him, and that has killed millions more before and since, he spoke out at a time that his own government was denying AIDS even existed. Nkosi showed that youth can bring about incredible change because of him, companies, individuals and even governments have opened their hearts and their pockets to People With Aids (PWAs) in South Africa, where the rate of HIV infection has reached pandemic proportions, with frightening speed. 

Nkosi died almost exactly 1 year after making this speech still fighting to raise awareness and to erase the stigma around HIV/AIDS that millions endure daily...he died for our country...he died a hero...and we failed him.