By Christine de Kock
The Treatment Action Campaign's (TAC) programme to encourage young people to use condoms has caused a stir. Some feel that slogans like "Cloak the joker before you poker" are tasteless.
But Levi Strauss, who selected the slogans for the TAC, says these are slogans that the youth can relate to.
The five slogans are: "Got no protection? Can't use your erection?", "Cloak the joker before you poker", "Cover your vein, then drive her insane", "Cuff your carrot before you share it" and "No glove, no love".
The slogans will be featured at the Rage For The Revolution concert at the Cape Town Castle on Saturday. It is part of a two-pronged attack on the issue of HIV and Aids which Levi Strauss launched in conjunction with TAC this year.
The slogans were first heard on radio stations last week and were criticised by talk radio listeners.
Levi Strauss South Africa's managing director Mike Joubert said the phrases were decided upon after consumer research group Instant Grass discussed the slogans with more than 100 youths in the 15 to 19 age group.
"They found that these slogans were ones that the youth could relate to."
The slogans go hand-in-hand with their aim of distributing 60 000 condoms at Cape Town schools, tertiary institutions and Levi stores this year.
Saturday's concert, which starts at 3pm, will feature a number of high-profile artists including Kallitz, followed by Bed On Bricks, Tumi And The Volume, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Nine, Godessa, Fokofpolisiekar, Karen Zoid and Springbok Nude Girls. African Dope Sound System wraps things up at midnight.
Tickets cost R50 at Levi Stores and R60 at Computicket.