People should use condoms and not have sex too young, said former president Nelson Mandela on Monday.
”Aids has spread because people have so many partners. People should use condoms and try to resist being with a partner until [they are] about 18 or 19 years old,” Mandela said in Johannesburg on Monday morning.
Mandela was speaking at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, where he was introducing four new South African ambassadors for his 46664 campaign, which is the foundation’s global HIV/Aids awareness and fund-raising drive.
Musicians Vusi Mahlasela and Dozi, actress Kim Engelbrecht and ‘Morning Live’ presenter Leanne Manas have agreed to be part of the campaign.
”I hope we will be able to spread the message against HIV/Aids together,” said Mandela.
The new ambassadors said they will use the opportunity to spread Mandela’s message.
”It’s a great honour to be part of the campaign. It’s going to take a lot to do justice to this call, but I’m looking forward to it,” said Mahlasela.
Engelbrecht said she is now aware of the reason for her celebrity status.
”I can use my popularity in the right manner and spread Madiba’s message. We need to see HIV as a disease like a common cold. We need to listen to the message and take a minute in the heat of the moment to use a condom.”
Both Dozi and Manas said they will use their popularity to educate and inform people, especially, children, about HIV/Aids.
Mandela said he is grateful that the four new ambassadors will join him in the fight against Aids.
He added that he knows some people have beautiful and attractive partners, but that is no reason to be careless because a disease is still a disease and anyone could have it.
”People should, in fact, delay having sex until they are about 21 years old and then use contraceptives when they do,” said Mandela.
He said he will continue to stress the need for the use of condoms, although some religious groups do not want the foundation to encourage their use.
The announcement of the four new ambassadors forms part of Madiba’s 87th birthday celebrations taking place throughout this month.
Dozi, Engelbrecht, Mahlasela and Manas join Will Smith, Beyoncé, Ronaldo, Mandoza, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Annie Lennox, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Youssou N’Dour and Amitabh Bachchan, who have already been appointed as 46664 ambassadors. — Sapa