Remembering Claire Mathonsi

Claire Mathonsi was a staunch defender of women’s rights and champion of marginalised people affected by HIV across Africa and around the world. She worked at Frontline AIDS in the Africa team, bringing her insights and passion to the role. Her advocacy for gender transformative approaches in programming and policymaking shone through in her support for partners and in programmes such as the Partnership to Inspire, Transform and Connect the HIV response (PITCH) advocacy programme. She will be sorely missed.

We pay tribute to Claire with these memories below, alongside thoughts and prayers to all her family and friends.

CAROLINE PERRAUT

Claire and I worked together in the Africa team. She was opinionated, clever, and so precise with her words. At first I was very intimidated—then, I became inspired. Inspired by her presence, her warmth, her storytelling, and oh, that laugh! Claire, you shared your love for Zimbabwe and crush for Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal! I feel incredibly lucky to have shared those rare, golden moments — the kind you just know will be among your favourites in your professional life. Rest in peace, ma belle. Thank you for your joyous self. You will be deeply missed.

ALAIN MANOUAN

Clare was always full of energy and passion. We will miss you, Claire.

SHAUN MELLORS

Claire was a formidable, powerful, creative and beautiful woman. She was a dear friend too. When I first employed her to come and work at the International HIV and AIDS Alliance I had second thoughts, as I was not sure how she would fit or how the organisation would respond to her. But I needed not fear. Claire spoke her truth, she introduced and challenged me on black feminist ideology, she was not afraid to challenge either, but she did so in such a way that was productive, effective and meaningful – unless she was really mad. I only saw her really mad twice. But what I remember most about the lovely Claire, and what I will miss most is her sincere, authentic and warm way of connecting. When we connected, I knew that we had connected – because it was real and meaningful. We may not see each other again for months, but that real connection stayed with me for many months afterwards – comforting and real. I can remember in great detail the times that we had connected since we left Frontline AIDS. She aways remembered my birthday (a day early) and would send me a birthday wish. The last time we connected was in Cape Town in November last year at the ILGA World Conference. I am glad that we made the effort to find each other and invest in the time during the crazy conference week. We sat outside the main entrance of the conference centre on a bench Claire in her lovely blue African print jacket, beaming smile, holding hands. Johanna in the background having a cigarette. Claire was completing her stint at Chapter 2 in South Africa and was very excited about joining the IPPF family and had plans to return to her beloved Senegal. She was happy. She was happy that I was happy, and in love. We connected. We laughed. We hugged big and long. A connection that now has to last a lifetime….

WILSON ASHIMWE

I am deeply grateful to have met Claire at The Alliance, where our bond quickly grew from colleagues to friends, and eventually, we became family. Claire was a force for change, her passion for making the world a better place, especially for women and girls, was truly inspiring. She never stopped advocating for what she believed in, and her impact will continue to be felt. Even after The Alliance, our journey together didn’t end. We worked side by side as consultants, travelling to different countries, sharing unforgettable experiences, and supporting each other every step of the way. More than anything, I am grateful that we remained so close until the very end. I will deeply miss her warmth, her laughter, and the way she would always say to me, “Je t’aime mon frère.