Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - October 31, 2004
Bongolethu Futuse
The Ground Breakers' Impinchi Team is a group of youngers working under the auspices of loveLife, which focuses on HIV and Aids awareness and prevention at schools in Dobsonville, mainly targeting groups aged between 15 and 17.
Nineteen-year-old Keabetswe Mekgwe is working as a counsellor for the Impinchi team (which means "friends").
Apart from educational HIV and Aids awareness programmes, he tries to advocate general health and fitness, saying this promotes improved self-image and builds confidence among the youth.
"The response has been outstanding. Many have confirmed changes of behaviour . . . some have begun practising safer sex and others are taking decisions to abstain until the right time," he says.
He says co-operation with local youth societies has boosted the work of the team, in particular theatre groups. "The feedback we get is that school learners get to understand more issues involved in HIV/Aids through these performances."
Keabetswe believes that today's youth are empowered to choose their own future.
"Young Sowetans are living in interesting times," he says. "Unlike in the past, today's youth has a lot to choose from."
Information about the programme can be accessed at the www.lovelife.org.za website or by telephoning (011) 523-1000.
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