South African activist Nkosi Johnson was only 12 years old when he died. At the time, in 2001, he was the longest-surviving child born with HIV.

Born Xolani Nkosi to an HIV positive mother, he was adopted by Johannesburg public relations officer Gail Johnson after his mother became unable to look after him.

Nkosi was thrust into the public eye in 1997 when he was refused entry to school because he was HIV-positive.

The decision fast gained attention, leading to South Africa’s constitution being amended to put in place anti-discrimination policies, banning schools from turning down children based on their health.

The school then allowed Nkosi in, the same year that his mother died.

Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages Show all 10 1 /10 Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages The Victor Babes Hospital in Bucharest cares for children suffering with AIDS during the epidemic. (Photo by Bernard Bisson/Sygma via Getty Images) Getty Images Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages The Victor Babes Hospital in Bucharest cares for children suffering with AIDS during the epidemic. (Photo by Bernard Bisson/Sygma via Getty Images) Getty Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages An AIDS infected child looks through the bars of his hospital bed in the pediatric ward of the Victor Babes hospital, 07 February 1990, in Bucharest. (Photo credit should read JOEL ROBINE/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages A20TAD Hospital for children at Plataresti, Bucharest, Romania, 1990. Alamy Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages BJ38FE Children at the Gradinari hospital for the handicapped near Bucharest. Romania February 1990. Image shot 02/1990. Exact date unknown. Alamy Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages BJ34FE Romanian Orphanage, Bucharest, Romania. February 1990. Image shot 02/1990. Exact date unknown. Alamy Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages BJ37JE AIDS babies in Bucharest Hospital. Romania February 1990. Image shot 02/1990. Exact date unknown. Alamy Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages BJ39R7 AIDS babies in Bucharest Hospital. Romania February 1990. Image shot 02/1990. Exact date unknown. Alamy Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages BJ39H4 AIDS babies in Bucharest Hospital. Romania February 1990. Image shot 02/1990. Exact date unknown. Alamy Inside Bucharest's aids orphanages BJ38YC AIDS babies in Bucharest Hospital. Romania February 1990. Image shot 02/1990. Exact date unknown. Alamy

Together with his adopted mother, Nkosi went on to campaign for children with Aids.

He spoke at numerous high-profile events, including being keynote speaker at the International Aids Conference, where 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!”

The pair created Nkosi’s Haven, an NGO still active today that provides treatment and support for families affected by Aids.

The International Children’s Peace Prize was created in 2005 in honour of his efforts to raise awareness of Aids. The award – known as an “Nkosi” statuette – is given to someone who has promoted children’s rights.

Nkosi died in 2001 and is buried in Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.