South African men have responded in droves to a challenge, earlier this year, by a popular soapie star and Brothers for Life ambassador Kagiso Modupe (33) to get medically circumcised.
As the champion of the Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) campaign branded #ZwakalaSkeem – meaning ‘come with me brother’ – Modupe called on 2000 men to have circumcision as part of his campaign.
The initiative is being driven by the USAID-funded Voluntary MMC consortium comprising Right to Care, CHAPS and SACTWU.
Dr Khumbulani Moyo, Medical Male Circumcision Manager for the consortium said, “Around 5000 men responded directly to our campaign which highlights the health benefits of medical male circumcision. This means the total number of MMCs done during this period is over 5000. We are encouraged by the number of men that came forward. This is two and a half times more men than we anticipated.”
Modupe is well known for his role in the soapie Scandal. He was circumcised at the Katlehong North Municipal Clinic in March as part of a celebratory community event in Katlehong, Gauteng.
Meanwhile men in other parts of Gauteng, North West, KZN and Mpumalanga were sending ‘please call me’s’ to 082 808 6152 to book for their circumcisions at one of the 150 participating clinics spread across these regions.
Medical male circumcision is proven to reduce the risk for men and women of getting infected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and to reduce risk for cervical, anal and prostate cancer. But barriers to MMC remain high.
Moyo said: “Kagiso showed that men are never too old to have the procedure. He brought issues that men have out into the open and talked about them. As well as age, these include pain, the six-week healing period, abstaining from sex or masturbation, and traditional circumcision vs medical circumcision that many men still battle with.
“There is certainly place for both medical and traditional male circumcision. Each man can choose for himself but Modupe has helped promote the significant health benefits of having the procedure.”
Modupe shared his post-MMC six-week healing period with communities in Rustenburg, North West, last month.
“I hope that by openly sharing my circumcision experience, I can help more men overcome their fears and preconceived ideas about medical circumcision. I have learned so much and I hope that I passed this knowledge on for men to make the right choice for themselves and their partners,” he said.
Dr Josephine Otchere-Darko, Technical Director for Centre for HIV/AIDS Prevention Studies (CHAPS), who performed the procedure said: “Modupe healed well because he adhered to all the guidelines provided to him – visiting the clinic after two days, no strenuous exercise for seven days, visiting the clinic again after seven days, cleaning the wound with boiled and cooled salt water, eating and sleeping well, and keeping his penis upright in a tighter ‘jockey type’ underwear.”
“Modupe has been a brave and powerful messenger,” said Moyo. “By being so open about his own experience, he has shown how easy it is to deal with the initial discomfort of circumcision.”
“I will continue to be involved in this campaign to encourage men to join me in a celebration of brotherhood and good health,” Modupe added.
“Men or their partners can book for a MMC at one of 150 clinics in Gauteng, KZN, Mpumalanga and the North West by sending a ‘please call me’ to 082 808 6152. Men can also call 0800 448024 (toll free) or send a blank SMS to 41449.