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Draft:Matthew Lani

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  • Comment: See WP:COI. See also WP:BLP. Statements, starting with the date of birth, need to be sourced or removed. Greenman (talk) 08:24, 4 April 2025 (UTC)
Matthew Lani
Born
Matthew Bongani Lani
NationalitySouth African
Other namesDr Matthew
EducationBordeaux Primary School, • Greswold Senior School,
Occupation(s)Social media personality, • HIV/AIDS Counsellor
Years active2021–present
Known forSocial media personality, HIV/AIDS Advocate

Matthew Bongani Lani, professionally known as Dr. Matthew, is a South African social media personality,[1] HIV and AIDS peer educator. He is recognized for his public health advocacy[2], particularly in HIV prevention and treatment, influenced by his own experience living with HIV.[3] Lani has publicly shared that he was deliberately infected by his ex-partner, a story he discussed during an appearance on Unpacked with Relebogile Mabotja on SABC 3[4], in a YouTube episode titled My Partner Deliberately Infected with HIV[5]. He rose to prominence in October 2023 by posting medical advice about HIV on TikTok. On 29 October 2023, he was arrested at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg on charges of impersonating medical personnel[6]; those charges were withdrawn later that month.[7]

Education

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Matthew Lani began his education in Bordeaux Primary School. Lani then enrolled at Gresswold Senior School, a school for learners with Special needs. According to information released by the Gauteng Department of Education in an official statement dated October 11 2023, Lani does not hold a matric certificate[8][9]

Personal life

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On 29 October 2023, Matthew Lani stated that he had been denied access to antiretroviral medication by the Gauteng Department of Health.[10] He subsequently sought assistance from the South African Human Rights Commission, which confirmed receipt of his complaint in media interviews.[1][8]

In October 2024, multiple media reports indicated that Lani and his mother were residing in a temporary shelter.[11] These reports also referenced financial and personal challenges following public controversy surrounding Lani's online presence.[12][13]

Social media presence

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In October 10, 2023, amidst allegations of misrepresentation regarding his qualifications, his TikTok account, which had amassed 300,000 followers, was banned. As reported by IOL News[14] A few days later, Lani created a new account, which also gained 50,000 followers.[15]

Early Advocacy and Public Health Work

Lani's advocacy for HIV awareness and treatment education stems from his personal experience with the virus. He used social media platforms to raise awareness on HIV prevention, treatment adherence, and stigma reduction. His content on platforms such as TikTok gained him recognition.[5]

Arrest

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On 9 October 2023, Lani made international headlines on his birthday when the Gauteng Department of Health accused him of impersonating a doctor.[16] The department alleged that Lani had been visiting health facilities to create misleading content, potentially causing confusion and harm to patients. The accusation quickly garnered attention from several other institutions, including the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA),[17] Wits University,[18] and the Gauteng Department of Education.[19]

The controversy reached its peak on 29 October 2023, when Lani was arrested at Helen Joseph Hospital. Authorities apprehended him on charges of attempting to impersonate a doctor.[20][21] However, Lani's legal team maintained his innocence,[22] and during his appearance before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped all charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence.[23]

Awards and recognition

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  • 702 South Africans Doing Great Things AVAC Young Leaders Award[24]

References

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  1. ^ a b Birjalal, Alyssia. "WATCH: Matthew Lani's tell-all on fame, struggles and healing in 'Engineer Your Life' podcast". IOL (Independent Online). Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  2. ^ "South Africans Doing Great Things - Matthew Lani - The Aubrey Masango Show". omny.fm. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  3. ^ "South Africans Doing Great Things - Matthew Lani - The Aubrey Masango Show". omny.fm. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  4. ^ Ngenyane, By Andiswa. "Unpacked with Relebogile Mabotja hits new high!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  5. ^ a b Relebogile Mabotja (2021-11-24). My Partner Deliberately Infected Me With HIV(Part 2) | Unpacked with Relebogile Episode 48 |Season 3. Retrieved 2025-04-04 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ McCain, Compiled by Nicole. "Alleged bogus TikTok doctor Matthew Lani arrested at Johannesburg hospital". News24. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  7. ^ Umamah Bakharia, “Charges against fake doctor ‘Matthew Lani’ dropped,” Mail & Guardian, 31 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b "'Dr Matthew' does not have matric — Gauteng education confirms". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  9. ^ Gauteng Provincial Government, Gauteng provincial government (11 October 2023). "No matric certificate for bogus Dr Matthew".
  10. ^ Yoganathan, Venilla (2024-01-10). "HRC defends TikTok 'Dr Lani' over ARVs access". Juta MedicalBrief. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  11. ^ Tshabalala, Comfort. "WATCH: 'Dr' Matthew Lani goes from scrubs to homeless!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  12. ^ Rall, Se-Anne. "'Dr' Matthew Lani says he and his mom now live in a shelter". IOL (Independent Online). Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  13. ^ Mochele, Samantha (2024-09-13). "Fake doctor, Matthew Lani hits the streets after losing it all". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  14. ^ Rall, Se-Anne. "BANNED: TikTok takes down Dr Matthew Lani's account". IOL (Independent Online). Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  15. ^ "Dr Matthew Lani: TikTok star arrested in South Africa". BBC News. 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  16. ^ Gauteng Provincial Government, Gauteng Provincial Government (8 October 2023). "Gauteng Health open case against bogus doctor".
  17. ^ Yfm, Yfm (11 October 2023). "HPCSA Dr Matthew Lani statement".
  18. ^ Wits University, Wits university (9 October 2023). "Wits statement Dr Matthew".
  19. ^ Gauteng Provincial Government, Gauteng provincial government (11 October 2024). "No matric for bogus Matthew Lani".
  20. ^ South African Government, South African Government (31 October 2023). "Gauteng Health on capturing of bogus Dr Matthew Lani by security personnel at Helen Joseph Hospital | South African Government". South African Government. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  21. ^ McCain, Nicole. "'Bogus' doctor arrested at Gauteng hospital". News24. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  22. ^ "'He was doing it for entertainment' - 'Dr' Lani's lawyer". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  23. ^ SABC, SABC (31 October 2024). "Charges against Matthew Lani withdrawn".
  24. ^ Omny.fm, Omny.fm (3 December 2021). "South Africans Doing Great Things Matthew Lani".
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