The Zola Community combined soccer and HIV testing as it celebrated Youth Day on June 16.

The event, held at Esihlahleni Sports Complex in Zola 3, was organised by GRASSROOTSOCCER in partnership with Qalakabusha HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT), the Centre for HIV/AIDS Prevention Studies (CHAPS) and the South African Football Association.

“It was a good idea to have a sports activity to attract youth, more especially boys who have no interest on HIV test”, said Cedric Nukeri, the GRASSROOTSOCCER Site Coordinator.

“Youth must test for HIV and know their status. We are now celebrating June 16 as part of liberation but still facing the struggle of fighting HIV/AIDS. Today we are expecting to reach at list a target of 50 people for both male and female,” said Sammy Tlakola, Qalakabusha HCT Coordinator.

“This day is not just Youth Day but also taking responsibility to say no to drugs. Take initiative to test for HIV and eliminate the spread of HIV. I am proud for myself because I have tested for HIV and now I know my status,” said Palesa Skosana, who attended the event.

“Having events like this will assist to change young people’s life style. For me, testing for HIV and knowing my status is a good thing and I also encourage every young man to test for HIV, knowing their status and protect their partners,” said Pholani Nyandeni.

“Celebrating our fallen heroes is not good enough if we do not do what will make them proud. We have freedom, we have education but we never considered our own health, which is not good. Today this celebration has made a change to me since I have tested for HIV and know my status. I am hoping every young South Africans will do the same,” said Sibusiso Malinga.

Meanwhile, Tsietsi Mbuso, the CHAPS Coordinator, was encouraging young men to get circumcised. “It is so important for every man to do medical circumcision to eliminate chances of getting STI’s and have good hygiene. Zola Clinic offers a medical male circumcision service. Most of young man are circumcised here in Zola but still we need to educate them to say circumcision is not prevention, and we are here to encourage those who are not yet circumcised to go for circumcision and test for HIV,” said Mbuso.

“Now that I am here and had information on medical circumcision, I am willing to go for circumcision, which is a good thing to do more especially knowing the outcomes,” said Siyabonga Mbete. “Today I have tested for HIV. I know my status, which is the first step I have taken, and I have courage to go for second step.”

At the end of the day, 33 young men and 17 young women tested for HIV.