"Please Don't Stop": 75-Year-Old Gogo Quits ARVs, Video Leaves SA Worried

• A 75-year-old South African gogo went viral after sharing that she stopped taking her ARVs after a year
• The elderly woman, filmed in a street-style interview, said she was feeling strong thanks to her faith
• Her bold claim divided South Africans online, with health workers and viewers urging others not to follow her example

A 75-year-old South African gogo set the internet alight after a video of her declaring that she had stopped taking her antiretroviral medication went viral on TikTok on 4 August 2026. The clip, originally from Newzroom Afrika and reposted by @misterntokozo, was an interview on a home's veranda. The elderly woman sat confidently and told the interviewer that she did not care what the pills did to her body. She said her spirit was well, and that when she eventually left this world, she would be going home. She added that she was running around, crediting Jesus entirely for her health. "Jesus is my pill," she said.

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Medical organisations strongly advise against stopping antiretroviral therapy without medical guidance. According to Médecins Sans Frontières South Africa, stopping ARVs allows HIV to multiply rapidly in the body, weakens the immune system, and significantly increases the risk of opportunistic infections and death. Consistent treatment is what keeps viral loads undetectable and people healthy.

The gogo's decision appears rooted in deeply held religious belief rather than a medical recommendation. She spoke with conviction, showing no signs of fear or doubt about her choice to stop treatment. See the video of the gogo below :

Mzansi slams gogo refusing ARVs

South Africans in the comments were torn between respect for her faith and genuine concern for her wellbeing:

@Faye 🦋 wrote:

"1 year it's still early let's wait and see if she can reach 5years without ARVs. Please don't stop taking your medication (ARVs) bazalwane."

@Catherine mabaso reflected:

"One thing I have learned is that many ARV patients don't receive enough psychological therapy. So they mainly get tired of taking them."

@Ella shared:

"I know someone who stopped taking it for 10 yrs, and turned back to take it again 😂😂."

@Nthabi warned simply:

"Many have died saying that."

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Other Briefly News stories about the elderly

• A South African grandmother who bravely took to the driver's seat for the first time at nearly 70 years old, captivating audiences with her heartwarming TikTok debut.
• Cool Gogo, a South African grandmother who celebrated her 80th birthday in style with a viral TikTok trend, showing her infectious spirit and love for life.
• BI Phakathi, a renowned South African philanthropist, who surprised an elderly gogo with a generous cash blessing as she walked home from church.

Source: Briefly News