Tshelametse left for Brazil yesterday.
The film festival, which is being organised by Sabin Institute, started yesterday in Brasilia, Brazil, and the towering goalkeeper is expected home on Tuesday. The event whose theme is Life is Stronger than AIDS will be taking place at the I International Film Exhibition. Tshelametse was invited to the festival to showcase the Zebras' Test for Life campaign.
The name for the campaign comes from the fans motto: Zebras for Life. The team's motivation for being involved is to give back to their fans and their society. The fans have been there for the team through thick and thin and when we are playing home and away. The organisers felt that because of the work done in Botswana on HIV/AIDS, they wanted to invite someone of celebrity status to showcase the good work this country is doing in this fight against HIV/AIDS, explained Lydia Matebesi, the UNDP HIV/AIDS programme manager in Gaborone. She explained that initially the organisers had wanted to invite former Miss Universe, Mpule Kwelagobe. But she was not available due to other commitments.
When Mpule could not be available the request then fell on the Zebras' captain Modiri Marumo. But because the Zebras team will be out playing against Burundi in Rwanda this weekend he was also not available. The assignment then fell Tshelametse who could not travel with his team to Rwanda because an injury.
The Botswana national team has lately been collaborating with the American Embassy in Botswana going around the country and campaigning to encourage young people to test for HIV/AIDS so they know their status.
Zebras for Life-Test for Life is funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Embassy in Botswana at the tune of $100,000 U.S. Dollars. The idea was initiated by United States (US) Peace Corps volunteers. The campaign is being led by Tebelopele Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centres and is a joint effort of several government sectors and non-governmental organisations in Botswana.
* Marx Garekwe is the UNDP Public Affairs & Communication Officer
