A life-size billboard on Voortrekker Road had residents up in arms with mixed reactions towards the controversial message it is displaying on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH).
Many readers responded to the initial article (read here) which featured on the News’ website about the billboard ‘promoting’ prostitution in a town known for its sex work and illegal drug trade.
Zameka Kubeka from the GDoH in Krugersdorp met up with the News to explain the so-called method behind the message.
According to Kubeka, the billboard, which is one of many around town, form part of a national campaign called Prevent, Avoid, Stop, Overcome and Protect (Pasop) in which the department aims to get residents talking about health issues.
“People prefer to receive information on the television, radio and billboards now a days,” comments Kubeka who explained that the ‘safe sex’ approach had become old news.
The idea behind these in-your-face billboards was to spice up the same boring message to a level of appeal by discussing issues that arise in various communities.
The wording used on various of these Pasop campaigns are comments the GDoH got while interacting with the community and inspired the wording.
In a statement issued by the department, it explains the how the campaign aims to positively influence people’s behavior and attitude about HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis diseases (TB).
“The strategy prioritises key populations and vulnerable groups such as sex workers, the Lesbian/ Gay/ Bisexual/ Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community, women and youth which the department has noted the risk of infection is higher in general,” the statement reads.
Zameka mentioned that the West Rand is a high infection area especially between the ages of 15 and 29 years, and claim that the campaign is to reduce the infection rate.
“When we have people talking about the billboards we are spreading the word of safe sex,” Kubeka concluded.
