Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times - Sunday 6, June, 2004
Futhi Ntshingila
The banter of the sassy and streetwise animated condoms - characters in an HIV/Aids public-service announcement - will be translated into 40 languages.
"The Three Amigos", the brainchild of Johannesburg-based film producer Brent Quinn, has been seen on SABC television since December, speaking Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans and English. It has also been shown in Canada.
Now Canadian-based Omni Television has commissioned Quinn and his Canadian co-producer, Firdaus Kharas, to translate the announcement into foreign languages.
This means the amigos could soon be introduced to 80% of the world's population via international public- service announcements.
The work, which has won an American Golden Reel community broadcasting award, will be screened during the International Aids Convention in Bangkok next month.
Quinn said the public's positive reception of the three amigos had been encouraging.
Kharas said he was proud to be part of a project that was encouraging responsible sex. "I am working on the project full-time now because there is so much to do. I am very excited to be part of it," he said.
A bonus was receiving the blessing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has called the work "a powerful communicating tool". He has written to international broadcasters endorsing it.
" Animated characters are a non-threatening, non-authoritarian vehicle for communication," the archbishop said in his letter. " I urge broadcasters to use these wonderfully human-like characters to put across the serious message that can save lives..."
Quinn said it was an honour to receive the archbishop's blessing.
" He has worked incredibly hard in the fight against Aids," said Quinn.
Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey this week presented Tutu with an award for his work in the fight against Aids.
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