Nearly 100 men on Tuesday manned up to take an HIV test on the Amajita Tutu Truck where they got a free haircut at the same time.
The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation has partnered with Legends Barbershop to give free haircuts to men who complete an HIV test on the truck.
The Amajita Tutu Truck is the latest mobile unit in the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation mobile fleet, joining the Tutu Tester, the Tutu Teen Truck, and the Tutu Kwik Testers.
Tuesday, the Amajita team parked off at Cwango Crescent in Philippi Village where they urged residents to step forward to learn more about HIV and Aids.
The project was launched on International Men’s Day and truck will operate in the Klipfontein District comprising Langa, Nyanga, Philippi, Crossroads, Gugulethu and Mitchells Plain over the next two weeks.
Co-ordinator, Ndumiso Madubela of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, says they are targeting males between 15 and 35 who are regarded as a high risk group.
WAIT IN LINE: Mobile crew in the Amajita Tutu Truck. Picture: PHANDO JIKELO/ ANA
These young men often tend to avoid health clinics due to long queues.
“It’s not that men don’t want to use these resources, but it’s mostly only available to women,” he says.
While getting tested, the men also receive counselling.
The test results are available immediately and if positive, the men are also provided with medicine.
Resident Jay Smith says he was impressed with the service.
“Everything went quickly and one could feel the true interest of these people, they speak to us with so much care and listen to what we have to say or ask,” he says.
Aphelele Mtengwana, 18, was also tested and says: “I saw the haircuts and the sign saying it was for men, so I checked it out. Usually I wouldn’t get tested, because the clinics are far away and busy.”
Ndumiso Madubela says they partnered with Legends Barbershop for this project.
WELL WORTH IT: Ndumiso Madubela
A delighted Kevin Gordon from Legends Barbershop in Long Street, Cape Town, adds: “The amount of people who came today shows that it’s worth it.”