Mosah Mokganedi
9 April 2008
Gaborone — The Botswana Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS (BONEPWA) Mr 2008 HIV Positive Living pageant will be held next month at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) under the theme "A new age of men involved, informed, in action against HIV/AIDS".
BONEPWA programme officer Rosemary Mokgosi said their objective is to encourage men's participation in HIV/AIDS issues. Police commissioner Thebeyame Tsimako will be the guest speaker at the event. Tsimako is the current chairperson of Men's Sector. Mokgosi, however, pointed out the pageant is not necessarily for HIV positive people only. She said that one of the major considerations is that prospective contestants should be people who know their status and are conversant with HIV/AIDS issues.
Aspirants should also be 18 years and above and should be citizens of Botswana, fluent in both Setswana and English and should at least hold a minimum qualification of Standard Seven. Finally, participants should also have disclosed their HIV status and should be members of a support group or if not they will be required to join one. Forum Sydy is sponsoring the event. Mokgosi called on more companies to help them with funds. She observed that there will be a number of activities prior to the pageant like a talent show. About 10 contestants are expected to take part in the pageant. The prizes for the pageant have not yet been finalised.
The Pageant started in 2006 but could not be held last year because of financial constraints. Mokgosi said they would like to make the pageant an annual event but cannot do so because they are a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that subsists on donations.
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