HEALTH-SOUTH AFRICA: Reality Television Teaches Message of Safe Sex

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Paul Stober

JOHANNESBURG, Jun 20 2001 (IPS) - Ten young South Africans ¡ new to each other and with nothing in common — were left in the wilderness for 18 days to learn about life, and living and working together.

Their experiences, lessons, struggles and frustrations have been turned into a television series, that the producers of South Africa’s biggest anti-HIV and AIDS media campaign, LoveLife’, hope will inspire other young South Africans to take control of their future, and take steps to protect it.

Tapping into the popularity of reality television ¡- programmes that record ordinary people in extraordinary situations ¡ S’camto Groundbreakers is designed to show young South Africans what they can achieve, if they set their mind to it. It also tries to show them simple life skills, like taking responsibility for themselves and others and making informed choices. S’camto means ôLet’s talkö.

The first of the 13-part series is scheduled for broadcast on South African television on Wednesday (20 June).

The ten teenagers ¡ from across South Africa — were divided into two teams, that competed in rock-climbing, abseiling, canoeing and mountain- biking.

They also had to discuss questions that plague teenagers across the world. These included: ôWhat does it mean to be my own person?ô; What does it mean to win?ö and ôWhat’s more important, me or my team?ö

The winning team in each of the challenges was given food and other materials that would help them survive in the wilderness.

LoveLife’ media director, Judi Nwokedi will be accompanying four young South Africans ¡ three of whom were part of the television series –to the United Nations Special Session on HIV and AIDS, to be held in New York, June 25-27.

ôWe want to give the world a chance to hear young South Africans share their vision for the future of the country and see why their optimism will make a difference in the fight against HIV and AIDS,ö she explained.

A LoveLife’ survey, released last month, revealed that young South Africans are extremely optimistic about their future, more so than youth in almost any other country. But, they also fear they might not live to realise their dreams and that the country’s future prospects may be overwhelmed by the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

The personal risk of HIV and AIDS, as well as its impact on friends, families and the country’s future are a major preoccupation for young people.

The television series hopes to take advantage of this optimism ¡ and fear ¡ to encourage young people to decide on a lifestyle that will protect them from the dangers of HIV and Aids.

ôIf young people have positive role models and clear goals, they will change their behaviour to protect their future,ö explains Nwokedi. ôIf they take risks, as young people do, then at least it will be informed and a conscious decision on their part,ö she added.

More than 40 percent of South Africans are under 15 years of age — and these young people participating in the TV programme– are at great risk of becoming infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

At the current rate of infection more than half of South Africans under 15 today could die of AIDS-related causes in the next five to ten years. While many young South Africans have their first sexual experience at around 15, it could leave almost a third of them HIV positive.

According to UNAIDS data,, some 4.1 million South Africans aged 15- 49 are living with HIV/AIDS, making one of the most badly affected countries in the world.

In any case, in South Africa, HIV status among young people is almost irrelevant, Nwokedi warns. ôIt’s all around our youth. If they’re negative today, they may easily be positive tomorrow,ö she explains.

While almost all young South Africans say they accept responsibility for protecting themselves from the virus, many still do not know important facts about the disease and how it is prevented or treated.

Moreover, many sexually active teens are making unsafe choices, that put them at risk of HIV infection, because of peer pressure and coercion, says the survey.

It also reveals that crime, violence and abuse also are major concerns, with many reporting personal experience with these problems.

Poverty is a major factor in the lives of a large proportion of young South Africans, with about one third of African respondents reporting going hungry and many are living in homes that are overcrowded. The survey was run among youths between 15 and 17 years old.

LoveLife’ tries to tap into the optimism of young South Africans by presenting them with options for a positive future and the tools to get there. The campaign tries to positively influence adolescent sexual behaviour with the aim of reducing teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.