Brothers for life

UNICEF, Manchester United and FC Barcelona, have come together and named a phenomenal squad of national and international sporting talent that are to promote HIV prevention in South and Southern Africa.

Brothers for life announces a world-class squad of sports ambassadors

Football stars Matthew Booth,Teko Modise and Benni McCarthy, South African rugby captain John Smit, South African cricket captain Graeme Smith, Bulls rugby player Tiger Mangweni, and international football superstars Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Patrice Evra (Manchester United); Mame Biram Diof (Manchester United); Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Yaya Toure (FC Barcelona), Thierry Henri (FC Barcelona) and Keita (FC Barcelona) have all stood up in support of Brothers for Life Sports Ambassadors campaign and taken to heart its slogan, “yenza kahle” (do the right thing).

As part of the Brothers for Life campaign the Sports Ambassadors will promote messages on the risks of alcohol, sex and HIV, promote correct and consistent condom usage; mobilise men to take up counselling and testing in support of President Jacob Zuma’s drive to get 16-million people tested for HIV and promote partner reduction through television, radio and outdoor advertising.

Manchester United launched United for UNICEF in 1999 and has been a strong partner in the UNITE for Children, UNITE against AIDS campaign that was launched in 2005 to put children at the forefront of global efforts to combat the impact of HIV and AIDS. Coinciding with the unveiling of the Sports Ambassadors, Brothers for Life is to be rolled out to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Zambia in partnership with UNICEF, FC Barcelona Foundation, and local partners.