THE fight against HIV/Aids took to the pitch in Soweto at the weekend.
The City of Johannesburg, together with non-profit organisations Show Me Your Number (the South African Football Players Union's HIV and Aids prevention project) and State of the Union, hosted the celebrity Grand Unity Soccer Match at Meadowlands Stadium.
The match was an initiative of State of the Union's Play for the Union campaign and was aimed at promoting African integration, peace and security, as well as trying to stop new HIV/Aidsinfections.
"We are running a campaign called Play for the Union, which looks at how to bring about African unity," said Jamillah Mwanjisi, coalition coordinator of State of the Union. "Show Me Your Number is based in South Africa and uses football to raise awareness and mobilise people."
A team of Play for the Union ambassadors from 14 different African countries squared off against a team of South African celebrities.
Among the celebrities were Eugene Mthethwa of the kwaito band Trompies, Chumani Pan from the drama series Montana,former Muvhango actor Lebo Pelesane, sports anchor Xolelwa Majeke and musician and producer Sello "Chico" Twala.
"It is a lovely campaign, it just needs to be popularised," Mthethwa said.
"We need to spread it to the people because it doesn't make sense to do this when we don't have people to reach out to."
Pelesane said: "I think we should do more.
"Celebrities are willing to give their time, people want to see us, people want to talk to us, so if we carry a strong message like this and people are willing to listen, then why not?"
Millicent Mugadi from Kenya was one of the ambassadors in the Play For the Union team.
"So far I think Africa is winning the battle against HIV. I come from Kenya and you can hardly get to have sex with someone without them asking you to use a condom.
"HIV/Aids has really dropped in East Africa," Mugadi said. - mthethwaz@sowetan.co.za
Promoting African unity and fighting HIV
THE fight against HIV/Aids took to the pitch in Soweto at the weekend.
The City of Johannesburg, together with non-profit organisations Show Me Your Number (the South African Football Players Union's HIV and Aids prevention project) and State of the Union, hosted the celebrity Grand Unity Soccer Match at Meadowlands Stadium.
The match was an initiative of State of the Union's Play for the Union campaign and was aimed at promoting African integration, peace and security, as well as trying to stop new HIV/Aidsinfections.
"We are running a campaign called Play for the Union, which looks at how to bring about African unity," said Jamillah Mwanjisi, coalition coordinator of State of the Union. "Show Me Your Number is based in South Africa and uses football to raise awareness and mobilise people."
A team of Play for the Union ambassadors from 14 different African countries squared off against a team of South African celebrities.
Among the celebrities were Eugene Mthethwa of the kwaito band Trompies, Chumani Pan from the drama series Montana,former Muvhango actor Lebo Pelesane, sports anchor Xolelwa Majeke and musician and producer Sello "Chico" Twala.
"It is a lovely campaign, it just needs to be popularised," Mthethwa said.
"We need to spread it to the people because it doesn't make sense to do this when we don't have people to reach out to."
Pelesane said: "I think we should do more.
"Celebrities are willing to give their time, people want to see us, people want to talk to us, so if we carry a strong message like this and people are willing to listen, then why not?"
Millicent Mugadi from Kenya was one of the ambassadors in the Play For the Union team.
"So far I think Africa is winning the battle against HIV. I come from Kenya and you can hardly get to have sex with someone without them asking you to use a condom.
"HIV/Aids has really dropped in East Africa," Mugadi said. - mthethwaz@sowetan.co.za
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