Health-e (Cape Town)

South Africa: Tshwane Men Queuing for Medical Circumcision

By Mishack Mahlangu, 22 November 2012

Soshanguve — A drive by civil society organisations to promote male medical circumcision have seen more men and boys over the age of 12 reporting to the local KT Motubatsi clinic for this procedure.

Two local organisations, Heaven’s Defence Force (HDF) and Brothers for Life, are mobilising the Soshanguve community through an outreach programme where they recruit young men to have the procedure done and then provide them with transport to and from the clinic.

“This drive is particularly valuable in the run up to World Aids Day on 1 December,” said Pule Goqo, manager of HDF.

They identified 10 young males to recruit boys and men from the community. One of the recruiters, Percy Mashele, said that they are leading by example. “We all went through the process of HIV counselling and testing, the surgical circumcision and check-ups,” said Mashele.

Another recruiter, Christian Mashele said the capacity building they received from Brothers for Life improved their mobilisation strategy, which sees them recruiting about 70 males every week.

"Most patients who undergo medical male circumcision are school-goers between the ages of 12 and 16, while we see fewer men over the age of 18 years,” said a professional nurse at the clinic who prefers to remain anonymous.

Lucas Dlamini, a guardian of one of the young patients said that he was worried that the boys don’t receive enough counselling before undergoing this procedure.

Mishack Mahlangu is an OurHealth Citizen Journalist reporting from the Tshwane district in Gauteng Province.

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  • Ronald Goldman, Ph.D.
    Nov 22 2012, 13:25
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    Circumcision is a controversial act. It always has been. That means journalists are obligated to present opposing views when reporting on this issue.

    Many professionals have criticized the studies claiming that circumcision reduces HIV transmission. They have various flaws. The absolute rate of HIV transmission reduction is only 1.3%, not the claimed 60%. Authorities that cite the studies have other agendas including political and financial. Research shows that circumcision causes physical, sexual, and psychological harm. This harm is ignored by circumcision advocates. Other methods to prevent HIV transmission (e.g., condoms and sterilizing medical instruments) are much more effective, much cheaper, and much less invasive. Please see http://www.circumcision.org/hiv.htm for more information and links to literature.