The Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr. Mphu Ramatlapeng officially launched a feature film on Behavioral Change Communications (BCC) called “Kau la Poho II” at the ceremony held at Pioneer Mall in Maseru on Tuesday 09/08/2011.

Dr. Ramatlapeng indicated that the film is part of the National BCC strategy 2008-2013 whose intention is to develop HIV messages through different tools to encourage behavior change.

The Minister said Multiple and Concurrent Partners (MCP) is the key driver of HIV in Lesotho and therefore behavior change would play a key role in prevention of new infections in the country.

Apart from BCC, other successful prevention strategies that Lesotho has been implementing include Know Your Status (KYS) campaign that is comprised of HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) and another one is that of Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT).

Dr. Ramatlapeng congratulated the Film Director and actors and actresses of the ‘Kau la Poho II’ for including all key messages of HIV prevention in the movie.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Minister of Gender, Youths and Sport Recreation Mrs. Mathabiso Lepono said it is now time for Basotho to unite and put their differences aside in order to face the serious challenges of the country together, saying that unity is the power.

She said the movie is very educative to all sectors of the society and therefore it should be disseminated and reach all people countrywide to save the lives of the young generation.

On behalf of National University of Lesotho (NUL), Professor Mafa Sejanamane mentioned that their university has high population of youths and therefore thanked the Government and the donors for producing this film with BCC messages for all age groups. He said it is now upon each individual to make informed choices about their lives.

The UNAIDS Representative to Lesotho Dr. Bismick Mwale said the movie conveyed various messages on important issues to be addressed in order to combat HIV such as male circumcision, PMTCT, condom use, ARV treatment, rape, condom use and the consequences of un-safe sex. It also covers urban and rural settings as well as faith base issues. He said the film is good with many lessons to different age groups.

South African based Artist Mr. Jerry Mofokeng said if youth do not change their behavior, this country is going to remain with generation of only grand parents and grand children.

Mofokeng commended the film Director Silatsi Monyatsi of Plot Point for telling Basotho stories through this movie. He appealed to Lesotho Television to show case the film in order to promote local talent and convey the HIV messages. He challenged donors and the government to support young film makers to tell more untold Basotho stories to educate the nation.

The occasion was attended by cabinet ministers, senior government officials, representatives from private sector, civil society, business community as well as youth. More than 500 people attended the launching ceremony.

From this premier launch the movie will countinue to be played at cinema, Lesotho television and in different schools and community halls to convey HIV message to people.

The film was funded by Global Fund Round 8 HIV grant with technical support from Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to convey behavior change messages to all.