Pierre Brouard will be retiring from his role as Acting Director of the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) at the University of Pretoria (UP) in August this year.

“My legacy is in the young people I have mentored and those that have contributed to the centre’s work,” he says. “I want to see a world that is more accepting of difference and diversity.”

Brouard, a clinical psychologist who obtained his degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, began his journey at the centre in 2000 after Mary Crewe founded it in 1999. As such, his tenure at the CSA&G spans almost the entire history of the organisation. Originally known as the Centre for the Study of AIDS, its focus on HIV evolved to include gender and sexualities. Brouard, alongside Crewe, recognised that HIV could not be addressed in isolation, and required a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour, societal structures and cultural norms.

His work in psychology, HIV and gender issues is also intertwined with personal experiences. Brouard grew up in a Catholic family and lost his father at a young age, an experience that sparked in him a need to understand loss, identity and the bigger questions of life. Coming to terms with his sexuality as a gay man at a young age added another layer to his journey of self-enquiry, further fuelling his desire to delve into psychology.

When HIV first emerged in South Africa, he was part of the white gay community that was affected by the epidemic. This period was marked by profound stigma, not only against those with HIV, but also against those with alternative sexualities.

“Stigma is not just about the person,” Brouard says. “It is rooted in social systems of inclusion and exclusion – stigma fulfils a function; it plays a role in society in trying to police identity and practice.”

Throughout his time at UP, Brouard has been involved in various projects, a notable one being the centre’s HIV testing and counselling service, which uniquely employs students as counsellors. This peer-based model has been pivotal in normalising testing, and fostering a culture of openness and support among young people.

As Brouard retires at the end of August, he faces the transition with a mix of sadness, excitement and contemplation. He plans to continue some private practice work, and spend time with his family, particularly his niece and her children.

Brouard leaves behind a legacy of compassion, advocacy and transformation. His work at the CSA&G and at UP has touched countless lives, challenged societal norms and promoted a more inclusive, understanding world. As he steps into this new chapter, his contributions will no doubt continue to inspire and guide future generations in the fight for social justice and equality.