Celebs to talk about sex
2002-03-03 10:10
Special Report
The South African government has announced a joint venture to reduce the cost of anti-retroviral drugs with a Swiss company.
Johannesburg -
The new Lovelife campaign called Love Them Enough To Talk About Sex is aimed at getting parents to talk to their children about sex. Seasoned television and radio personality Shado Twala makes it look so easy when she portrays an assertive parent who discusses sex with her children openly.
Twala, the mother of Simunye presenter Vusi Twala, said she approached the issue of sex with her real-life children the same way Lifelove advises parents to do.
"Discussions with children about sex should start early, as they become aware of their own bodies and before they become sexually active. There is no way that you can communicate these issues when your child is 30.
"I tried to discuss the issues casually. For example, when I bought sanitary towels and condoms and my kids asked me about them, I introduced the topic in a spontaneous way. If you don't talk to them, they turn to their peers for information," said Twala.
She said as a single mom it was her responsibility to educate her children on sex.
"In two-parent families, kids are often sent from pillar to post. As a single parent I had to speak openly to my children. I didn't even find it hard to talk to my elder son Vusi," said Twala.
Vusi said it had always been easy to talk to his mom about sex.
"She once brought condoms home and said it was essential I use them and at no time did I feel uncomfortable to talk to her," he said.
No cheap lines
Singer-turned-Aids activist Blondie Makhene found himself in a unique position when he had to talk to his three daughters about sex. In most households dads are the ones to have the man-to-man talk with their sons, while moms chat to their daughters.
"I taught my three daughters the facts of life so no-one can influence them with cheap lines like: "I love you baby, let's have sex".
When my youngest daughter asked me where children came from, I did not mince my words. I also taught her the difference between having sex and being physically abused."
Letoya Makhene, M-Net presenter and daddy's girl who hopes to follow in her father's musical footsteps, said since knowing the facts of life she had become much more responsible . "I'm comfortable talking to my dad, we don't talk about birds and bees. Our conversations are straightforward."
Other celebrity parents who will soon join Twala in the campaign include Tim Modise, Patricia de Lille and Desmond Tutu.
Lovelife media director Zandile Nzalo said: "Research has shown that openly talking about sex and sexuality is critical in reducing the incidence of HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases."
- City Press