Cape Town is getting its very first mobile circumcision clinic this month.
On Monday, 26 brave men got snipped at the launch of the Man Up mobile unit at the Airport Mall in Belhar.
The initiative was launched in “Movember”, during which men’s healthcare takes centre stage.
Services at the voluntary medical male circumcisions (VMMC) clinic are free and makes healthcare more accessible to men, says the Department of Health, in association with Jhpiego, a global not for profit organisation.
Also lending support to the cause is the legendary DJ Ready D and his drifting-driver wife Malikah Daniels.
Delft resident Dwight Leditt
The mobile clinic is equipped to do up to 40 circumcisions a day, according to Zolani Barnes, Programme Manager for Jhpiego.
“Jhpiego is determined to reach men where they are, in support of the Department of Health’s goal to decrease HIV,” Barnes says.
“VMMC helps protects men from getting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), helps prevent HIV and lowers the risk of their female partners developing cervical cancer.”
He says males 15 years and older can book an appointment to get the snip for free.
FELT NO PAIN: McDonald Antonio of Kraaifontein
Dwight Leditt, 22, from Delft was the first to sign up for the surgery, but when it was time to go under the knife, his blood pressure shot up and he was made to walk it off.
“I think it was the excitement of DJ Ready D and his cars that pushed my blood pressure up. I had to take time out to walk around to relax before it was back to normal,” he says.
McDonald Antonio, 23, from Kraaifontein immediately volunteered to take his place.
“It wasn’t sore at all, everything was done in 15 minutes, and no sex for six weeks but that’s OK,” he joked afterwards.
Next in line for the snip was 21-year-old Clayde Pasquallie.
“I’m happy that this mobile unit is made available, it will save so many lives and people from getting Aids or other diseases,” Pasquallie says.
“It’s really beneficial and I look forward to a healthier lifestyle.”
Ready D and Malikah have been actively involved in advocating for VMMC through the Man Up Campaign.
Cape Town actor and former Belhar resident Christian Bennett was the MC and kept the crowd entertained.
Bennett last year made headlines as an advocate when he got circumcised, alongside his nephew.
The clinic will also be at Thornton Media Village on 1 December.
venecia.america@inl.co.za