22 Jun 2014

The coordinator of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Makgabaneng condom campaign, Mr Ben Ngwato says they are impressed with the number of youth who turned up for the campaign on Friday June 19 and Saturday June 20 in Letlhakeng.

In an interview after the two-day campaign wrapped up, Mr Ngwato said the condom campaign was started as a way of sensitising people, especially the youth on the correct and constant use of both the female and male condoms, testing for HIV/AIDS as well as helping to curb teenage pregnancy.

“This events attract the elderly most of the time, but this time around the youth came in large numbers and we are very impressed. This gives us hope that the message we came here to preach was received by the intended target,” he said.

He said on the first day of the campaign they managed to distribute 3 000 condoms, and that the second day was even more fruitful because attendance was even higher. He said the number of those who tested was also impressive.

Mr Ngwato said UNFPA chose Letlhakeng as one of the villages where the campaign should take place because of the high number of HIV positive peopple in the village, especially among the youth. Other villages they are planning to visit are Otse, Shoshong, Mahalapye and Mochudi.

The campaign was boosted by the presence of both Makgabaneng and Mareledi actors, which Mr Ngwato said contributed to good attendance as people love to see the actors. “After realising that people love to interact with these actors, we decided to bring them along, not only for the people to see, but to help us spread the message,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ngwato said since its inception on TV, Mareledi has become a favourite for viewers, and that Batswana have even been calling for the drama to be aired daily like soapies.

“The drama has become a favourite to the extent that it would be a tragedy should we stop airing it because of lack of sponsors,” he said. Mr Ngwato said drama was the best medium to spread the HIV/AIDS message, adding that they have established a Facebook and Twitter accounts for the drama.

“The feedback we get from these social media shows that the message is hitting home, so we are confident that people do not just watch for entertainment,” he said. Mr Ngwato appealed to the nation to keep on supporting both Makgabaneng and Mareledi. ENDS