Leading African musicians have collaborated for a song to raise awareness about male circumcision.
The song, which was commissioned by the Champions For An HIV-Free Generation and promotes safe male circumcision in targeted countries, has been launched at ICASA.
The song had its first airing on Monday (5 December 2011) and was launched by His Excellency, Festus Mogae, the former President of Botswana and Chairman of the Champions.
The song is a collaboration of Zimbabwean guitarist, vocalist, performer and composer Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi; Botswana-based and internationally recognized artist Vee Wa Mampela; and Winky D, Zimbabwean Reggae-Dancehall artist. The musicians performed the song live during a reception at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Safe male circumcision shall have its focus in 14 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa region, which have high HIV infection rates and low circumcision rates. The countries include Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The campaign is being supported by the World Bank, PEPFAR, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and partner agencies.
Champions For An HIV Free Generation consists of highly influential figures from Africa who use their political star power for positive change. They are outspoken advocates for those affected by HIV and AIDS epidemic. Together they represent a moral authority to guide and support regional leaders in the response to HIV.
Among the Champions are Dr. Kenneth Kaunda former President of Zambia, Mr. Benjamin Mukapa former President of Tanzania, Mr. J.Chisano former President of Mozambique, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Dr. S.Wandera Kazibwe former vice-President of Uganda.
In his launch speech, Mr.Mogae made a humble appeal to radio stations and television broadcasters in Sub-Saharan countries to play the song free of charge on their channels or at a low cost.
He also called on all political leaders to “liaise and collaborate with our traditional and religious leaders to bring about substantial, significant safe medical male circumcision”.
The Champions also promote best practices in the region and highlight progress made in the HIV response. As outspoken opinion-leaders, they seek to initiate dialogue in changing harmful behavior and cultural norms. They also promote better policies, laws and practices that facilitate, rather than hinder, effective responses to the epidemic at regional, and international levels.
One of the most significant obstacles to responding effectively to HIV epidemic in Africa is the lack of an adequate mechanism to mobilize leadership accountability. The Champions, with their collective experience and stature, are well placed to influence high-level government, civil society and religious leaders in the region and to advocate for increased evidence-based HIV and AIDS initiatives. They envision an HIV-free generation.