Ten days before the World Cup, South Africa launches an HIV campaign for men featuring international sports stars. Claim: "Be a man ..."
Ten days before the start of the football World Cup in South Africa, the HIV campaign "Brothers for Life" launched a campaign yesterday that uses the fame of South African sports stars to raise awareness about HIV.
Under the slogan "Be a man who takes no risks and always uses a condom!", the athletes call on young men in adverts, TV and radio spots to take part in the efforts against the spread of HIV in South Africa.
They include international star footballers such as Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) and Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) as well as many high-calibre South African athletes such as the captain of the national rugby team, John Smit, and the national football players Matthew Booth and Teko Modise.
"If sensible behaviour among men is not made visible, HIV and Aids can continue to spread," said South Africa's Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe yesterday at the launch of the campaign. "We call on men of all classes and races to join the fight against HIV and Aids by respecting themselves and their partners."
This is indeed necessary. According to a 2009 study by the South African Human Sciences Research Council, 11 per cent of all South Africans are HIV-positive, but 24 per cent of all men between 25 and 49. Men in this age group are less likely to be tested for HIV, generally go to the doctor less often and are less informed about HIV and AIDS than South African women of the same age.
This is why the South African government launched the "Brothers for Life" campaign with three HIV/Aids organisations back in June 2009. South Africa's first information and education campaign specifically tailored to men also addresses issues such as sexual violence and sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Its overarching motto is "Yerza kahle" - "Do the right thing".
The new campaign during the World Cup is part of the initiative launched by President Jacob Zuma in April, which aims to get five million South Africans tested within a year and distribute 500 million condoms to the population.
Zuma had long been criticised for his absurd views on HIV and has recently made a name for himself, when he was tested for HIV four times.
(Paul Schulz)
