ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 9 • 7 - 13 May 2010
Using the FIFA 2010 WC to highlight dangers of malaria
NELSPRUIT
Famous adventurer Kingsley Holgate’s 2010 United Against Malaria Expedition hit Mpumalanga on April 25, International Malaria Day, to distribute 1 000 mosquito nets to deep-rural communities and people living on farms.
The expedition started earlier that day at the Lesedi Cultural Village situated within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
Holgate and his team of volunteers started the Mpumalanga leg of their journey at the Nelspruit rugby stadium before moving on to rural Nkomazi.
“We want to use the 2010 Fifa World Cup energy to educate communities in the rural areas, especially pregnant women and infants, on the dangers of malaria,” said Holgate.
He said most people in deep-rural areas lacked knowledge about this “silent killer” and that handing out mosquito nets became meaningless if not supported by education.
“People need to understand the symptoms of malaria very well so that they can get medical attention as soon as possible,” said Holgate, adding that the expedition would head for Limpopo next before visiting 11 other African countries.
Holgate said the current expedition was a continuation of his One Net, One Life campaign, which started in 2007, to distribute malaria nets impregnated with insecticide to vulnerable women and children.
“I’ve had malaria more than 40 times, but I’ve always had access to excellent medication. This is not the case for most people living in Africa and that is the reason why this campaign is so vitally important,” said Holgate.
The initiative has the backing of United Against Malaria, an umbrella partnership which advocates the eradication of malaria as part of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
“This expedition, backed by Captain Morgan Black, is once again enabling us to use adventure to change and save lives. We have a huge task ahead of us, but the voluntary support for the expedition has been exceptional and we are certain that we will be able make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Holgate. _Liam Crause, brand manager of Captain Morgan Black, said the company’s involvement meant that muscle was added to the collaborative efforts of NGOs, corporations and civil society. _“By acting as a collective force, we can respond to malaria with the urgency it requires and raise immense awareness about this deadly disease,” said Crause. _It is estimated that one child in Africa dies from malaria every 30 seconds.
“Insecticide pre-impregnated mosquito nets will be distributed to counter the resistance built by the parasitic insects. One net can shelter a mother and her two or three children,” said Holgate.
