AHF commemorates condom day
MANZINI – Practice safe sex!
Local artists, DJ and media personalities were ‘schooled’ by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) on the importance of practicing safe sex during the International Condom Day 2023 commemorated at the AHF LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in Manzini on Wednesday.
The well executed event was aimed at extending condom advocacy among the local acts, in a bid to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the local industry as well as in the country. The MC of the day was none other than Ndosh weBenguni. Condom advocacy is more vital than ever, with more than one million sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) acquired daily across the globe and the world falling woefully short on HIV prevention goals in 2021. According to AHF Eswatini, the general feeling is local acts can turn the tide by working to ensure that people in the country learn from them and use condoms as it remains the most affordable way to prevent HIV, other STI’s and unplanned pregnancies.
AHF’s Dr Nkululeko Dube, who is the Country Project Manager of AHF Eswatini, says local acts were targeted as they are famous and are likely to be exposed on the different infections. “Famous people are really loved by many, especially girls.
Protection
‘‘So it is important that we remind them about the important use of a condom. When we are talking about protection, we are not only talking about preventing only HIV, there are STI’s, they show real impact on women as they bring other infections such as cervical cancer, which further affects fertility. So these are things we cannot forget to talk about in such gatherings,” Dube said. He went on to say, “I am very impressed by the fact that attendance was very high, we really exhausted some subjects of interest in this event. We are very impressed and this is one of the best attended events that we have held as AHF in discussing such a topical interest.
‘‘We hope that the message pertaining the use of condoms will be spread across, so that other people can get help.” Some of the local acts who attended the event included, Swazi Boy Entertainment Director Mthunzi ‘Shadow’ Zwane, Miss Eswatini Tania Nunn, Zulu D, Mater P, KrTC, Uncle Karly, songstress Symphony, Toxik, Sandz, Tjovotjo, DJ Menzi as well as Sihle Mckomzer to name a few.
Furthermore, some of the topics which were discussed included; what prevents men from using a condom? When does one reach the decision not to use a condom while with their partner? Some of the prevalent responses from the local acts included the idea that it becomes difficult for them to use a condom especially when they are drunk, some said the condom prevents them from feeling the real excitement associated with sexual intercourse, while some added that the condom is not always at reach when they are out enjoying themselves with their partners.
However, they were advised to always buy condoms in bulk, as the may run out unexpectedly forcing one to have intercourse. unprotected.