Animated competition seeks effective HIV/AIDS message

The competition carries prize money of R10 000 for the winner, R5 000 for the runner-up and R2 500 for the third-placed entry. The best animated-ads will be featured on the programme and the team will provide entrants with feedback and assistance on concept and content until 15 October.

Topic choices

Competition entries must raise awareness about one of the following four topics:

• HIV counselling and testing (HCT) campaign
• Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT)
• Correct and consistent condom use
• Circumcision

Siyayinqoba Beat It! is a collaboration between the Community Media Trust (CMT), SABC Education and SABC1.

"The 2009 National Communication Survey on HIV/AIDS showed conclusively that the more communications to which people are exposed, the more effective they are and what better way to catch people's attention than with an innovative, eye-catching animated PSA?" says CMT director Jack Lewis.

"We therefore call on all amateur animators to put their thinking caps on and come up with a PSA that will knock people's socks off. Not only can they walk away with a tidy cash prize, they have the opportunity to make a substantial - and very visible - difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS," he concludes.