Philippi non-profit hosts sexual partners tournament to promote men's health

Amandla Development, a local non-profit hosted a Male Sexual Partners (MSP) sports tournament and wellness day for men aged 25 to 40 at Philippi Village on Saturday, August 16.

The event aimed to provide access to health services and promote healthy living. It formed part of efforts to support the 95-95-95 Campaign to end the spread of HIV by 2030.

Solethu Nobala, a social worker at Amandla Development, said the event created opportunities for men to receive free health and wellness services.

“This endeavour aims to close the gap towards the 95-95-95 Campaign to end the spread of HIV by 2030. We hosted an MSP event to promote a healthy lifestyle among men. Together with our clinical partners, we created a safe space for men to get tested, learn more about HIV prevention, and explore options like pre-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy,” he said.

Eight local teams participated in the tournament. Mr Nobala said the event was a success, but more work was needed to change attitudes.

“There is a stigma surrounding men's health that we do not fully understand. Many men are reluctant to go for health check-ups. Additionally, there are challenges related to work and other factors that only men can relate to. We encourage them to regularly check their health status, as it is crucial,” he said.

He added that regular check-ups were important to prevent health problems from becoming serious. Meeting men in their own social spaces helped reduce stigma around accessing HIV services.

Services provided included HIV testing, pre- and post-counselling, screenings for sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis, and promotion of condom use. Other screenings included blood pressure, glucose, BMI and cholesterol checks. Physiotherapy, dental care and podiatry were also available.

The event also included football matches, giving participants an opportunity to take a break from work and engage socially.

Community solutions officer Zandile Myeki said: “We recognise the importance of regular medical screenings for football players, and by bringing these services directly to them, we make it easier and more accessible for them to take charge of their health.”

She said the organisation also facilitated men’s dialogues, including discussions in taverns and other social spaces. “These dialogues are powerful tools for raising awareness about the health issues affecting men,” she said.

The day ended with teams receiving medals. Siqalo Unite coach Zukisa Fumbatha said he was pleased to take part. He said the tournament allowed players to test their health status and compete with different teams.