Sport as a tool to promote HIV/Aids prevention, treatment, care and support
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Nelson Mandela once campaigned for it to be recognised and treated like any other disease and called for the need to break the silence against it and banish stigma.
In recent years, the prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has received increasing attention because of the growing number of infections, especially amongst popular celebrities and prominent sportspersons, such as Arthur Ashe (tennis) and Earvin "Magic" Johnson (basketball).
The disease has reached epidemic proportions in Sub-Saharan Africa, and more especially in South Africa, which currently has the highest infection rates in the world. This clearly represents a major public health problem, with government spending currently standing at R1-billion to address this pandemic. http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2003/february/sport.htm
On Monday 05 March 2012, the IOL online newspaper reports that the family of the late Thabang Lebese broke their silence and disclosed that the former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates star had died of an HIV/Aids-related ailment. http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/football-star-s-secret-revealed-1.1249583
Lebese was involved in a social engagement project called Show Me Your Number, which sought to use sport as a tool to promote HIV/Aids prevention, treatment, care and support. “My son had used this project as a platform to deal with his status and to encourage others to get tested so that they may know their status and get help. “said Florence, mother to the deceased.
It is so shocking that the mother was the one who announced that her son died of Adis....my worry now is did his previous lovers know?
ReplyDeleteIt is not the mother who disclosed his status.On the 06th of March 2012 Sowetan newspaper reported that Fana Chabangu spoke on behalf of the family to disclose the 38-year-old's cause of death.Fana told the national radio station Metro FM that the player had planned to reveal his status once he was discharged from the hospital.
DeleteIt is important to go for regular HIV/AIDS tests in order to know your status.
This is serious.
Deletei wander how he felt about his staturs, to come out about your staturs it not easy at all.
ReplyDeleteit is really shocking to hear that Lebese also died of AIDS, though they say that he planned to disclose his status when he was gonna be released from hospital but now that he didn't make it, the question is did he tell his previous partners about his status before he could even think of disclosing it to the public? just imagine the shock of finding it out through the media after his death that he was HIV positive if you happen to be one of his previous lover.
ReplyDeleteI just wonder why famous people never disclose their hiv/aids status in public, as they are role modles to a wide variety of people. By them testifying in public it could encourage a lot people to get tested.
ReplyDeleteyoh ok wow but you haven't answered my question of does his previous lovers know he hads ADIS
ReplyDelete@Young and free it is not easy at all. That is why we get different kinds of campaigns that promote HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support.
ReplyDelete@Nkensani It is shocking to hear such news but we should remember that HIV/AIDS does not choose whether your a celebrity, a star or any kind of public figure.
ReplyDeleteYou can be involved with an infected person for a long time and he/she will pass on without you knowing his status. That is why it is important to know both your statuses while you are still involved and after.
@Sibusiso that is their own responsibility.
ReplyDelete