#SAFESEX The sixth global millennium development goal is to ‘combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases by 2015’. Elecare Pharmaceuticals, the official distributor of Carex condoms in Zimbabwe, has over the last few months taken up the mission to help push the HIV and AIDS awareness message with a view to helping the country achieve this goal.
The strategy is to involve as many players in the campaign as possible, from business to government, to civil society and the average person on the street.
The journey began in January this year when Carex launched a campaign to encourage proper condom use in Zimbabwe.
On July 13, Carex held a car draw in Harare’s First Street. A Honda Fit was given away to a lucky Carex customer, marking the close of a competition that ran for four months. To enter one had to buy 3 packs of Carex condoms and get a scratch card, then send the number to a mobile number provided on the card.
Also in July, Carex partnered with Red Rose Entertainment to host a concert in Chitungwiza, preaching the use of condoms to thousands of fans. Suluman Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah and Peter Moyo were some of the top artists who performed at the concert and added their voices to the condom drive.
Left: Car draw on First Street, Harare. Right: Part of the Carex team at the UNWTO in Victoria Falls. ZIMBO JAM NETWORK
During the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly held from August 24 to 29 2013 in resort towns of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone (Zambia), a team of Carex ambassadors attended the event and pushed the gospel of condom use.
Then this last weekend, Saturday, August 31, 2013, Carex was a major partner for the Miss Summer Pageant held at the 7arts Theatre Avondale, Harare.
Nitredy Dhliwayo, the Marketing manager for Elecare Phamarceuticals, told Zimbo Jam that there are more events in store; “There are plans to introduce summer games where people participate as families while being exposed to information about healthy living and safe sex.”
Miss Summer 2013 winners. ZIMBO JAM NETWORK
Nomufaro Dzimba, Elecare Business Development Manager explained the concept; “Carex has decided to add its voice to the gospel of condom use in a different way that involves the public. This includes club activations, promoting music shows and other events where we can reach the public.
“During the process we have our activation team that educates people, one on one about correct use of condoms. We are starting activations this summer at Lave Chivero and Cleveland Dam where huge numbers of people gather. Then we also have a programme starting in universities, at border posts to truck drivers and in public health institutions.”
