Community Launch of OneLove Campaign in South Africa

There was a warm, inspirational vibe at the Ubuntu Kraal in Soweto, at the Community Launch of OneLove in South Africa.

The event was very well attended, and the speakers, NGO representativs and members of the public attending the event had an infectious enthusiasm and commitment to fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS in South Africa.

Zuly Boy performs OneLove signature tune

Speakers included South Africa’s Health Minister Barbara Hogan, Lebo Ramafoko, a Soul City Senior Executive, Gab Mampone, SABC’s Acting Group Chief Executive and Kgosi Setlamorago Thobejane, the Contralesa National Organiser.

Xolani Gwala, a current affairs presenter at the SABC, was in charge of the proceedings. Here is a brief summary of some of issues that were covered:

OneLove is inspiring, said Barbara Hogan, South Africa’s Minister of Health

In her speech, South Africa’s Health Minister Barbara Hogan compared South Africa’s goal to reduce the number of new HIV infections by half in a couple of years to US President Barack Obama’s campaign to become president.

“Just like President Obama’s election, the reversal of the HIV rate will depend on our ability to believe in ourselves, to change as individuals, and to act together as a united force for a better life,” she said.

Read the full post about outlining her speech here.

There is a contradiction between OneLove and polygamy, said Kgosi Setlamorago, the National Organiser of Congress of Traditional Leaders

Kgosi Setlamorago Thobejane, the National Organiser of the Congress of Traditional Leaders (Contralesa) spoke about the contradition between OneLove and African culture in relation to the system of polygamy.

He also noted that he was standing in front of us as a representative of the system.

“I am proud to be part of the system of polygamy,” he said.

And yet, the Contralesa is also a strong supporter of the OneLove campaign in South Africa. Read the full post based on his speech here.

An overview of Soul City series 9, by Lebo Ramafoko, a senior executive at Soul City

Lebo Ramafoko, a Soul City senior executive, gave a brief explanation of what the OneLove Campaign is about. She also explained sexual networks and how they increase our chances of getting HIV and passing it on to our sexual partners.

To learn more about MCP, click here.

We must use the right language, said Gab Mampone, SABC Acting Group Chief Executive

SABC Acting Group Chief Executive Gab Mampone said it’s time that we use the right language to address the problem of multiple concurrent partnership, HIV and AIDS. He said the SABC would invest money and other resources in the campaign.