Comedian Marc Lottering plans to become a walking, talking condom dispenser, to ”encourage all Capetonians to protect themselves and to survive”, he said in a statement announcing the launch of an innovative nationwide HIV/Aids pledge campaign this weekend.
Pledges will be not for money, but rather for action. Ordinary South Africans as well as organisations will be asked to commit their time to the fight against HIV/Aids — to help themselves, a family member or friend, or an organisation or community.
The Khomanani campaign, meaning ”caring together”, aims to inspire and challenge South Africans to pledge their support against HIV/Aids as well as other sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis, the statement said.
Nearly 6,3-million South Africans living with HIV/Aids don’t even know their status, said Professor Alan Whiteside from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, speaking at the Gauteng Aids Council conference in Johannesburg this week.
The Khomanani campaign is being launched in association with the Department of Health and SABC2. On Khomanani Day, Sunday, SABC2 will feature live broadcasts of events all over South Africa.
The day’s line-up includes a performance by one of South Africa’s hottest bands, Freshlyground, as well as stories told by ordinary citizens and community organisations. Celebrities such as Fiona Coyne, Zola, DJ Shabba, TV presenter Candice Moodley, Andy Kasrils (better known as music spinner Admiral) and singer Karen Zoid will be operating an in-studio pledging call centre.
Pledges of support for the Khomanani campaign have already come from Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Limpopo health minister Seaparo (Charles) Sekwati, Lottering, Generations actress Connie Masilo-Ferguson and her husband Shona Ferguson (of Muvhango), Banyana Banyana captain Portia Modise and ex-cricketer Jonty Rhodes.
Connie and Shona Ferguson have pledged to be regularly tested for HIV/Aids as a couple, said the Khomanani statement.
Modise said: ”I pledge to talk to Lucia and Lorraine [her sisters] so that they should use condoms to protect themselves from Aids.”
The Johannesburg metro police have also pledged their support to the campaign by setting up roadblocks — not to fine motorists, but to ask them to pledge their support for the campaign.
”We are all affected by HIV/Aids,” said Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Edna Mamonyane. ”It’s quite a serious issue and they [the government] want everyone to be involved in the campaign.”
Clinic takes action
A South African HIV testing clinic, New Start — launched last year — has already undertaken to complement the government’s actions against HIV/Aids.
New Start’s site manager for Johannesburg, Ncamsile Nhlabathi, told the Mail & Guardian Online: ”Where government falls short, we take over.”
While most government clinics close their doors at 5pm, New Start caters for working people. Its clinics are open from 8am to 7pm on weekdays and on Saturdays between 8am and 2pm.
New Start doesn’t require those who want to be tested to provide their real name.
”If they like, they can even lie. They don’t need to tell us anything … we work on a number basis,” said Nhlabathi.
The whole HIV test takes approximately 45 minutes at New Start and only costs R25. However, even if people don’t have money to pay for a test, they won’t be turned away.
There are three fully operational New Start sites, located in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
South Africans can pledge their support for the Khomanani campaign by dialling Tel: 082 222 2709 (another number will be available for the call centre on Sunday) , or by visiting the Khomanani website and filling out a pledge form. To pledge via SMS, send your name to 34709