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Oprah Winfrey joins South Africa's fight against AIDS

US television talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey takes an HIV test on Saturday at her new US$40 million South African school for disadvantaged girls in Johannesburg. PHOTO: AFP

US talk show host Oprah Winfrey on Saturday promised to give free AIDS testing, counseling and -- if necessary -- treatment to the 152 girls chosen for her new school in South Africa.

Hoping to encourage more openness about the disease, which is devastating South Africa's youth, Winfrey underwent an HIV test herself to persuade the new pupils at her new Leadership Academy for Girls to follow suit, according to a statement issued on behalf of the Oprah Winfrey Foundation.

Her test results will be kept confidential, as will those of the students. All tests will be voluntary and based on informed parental consent, and the results will not affect their participation at the new school, the statement said.

"To be a great leader, you must be of sound mind, body and spirit," Winfrey said. "Part of leadership is having the courage to demonstrate true action. Today I have taken the test to demonstrate why it's so important."

An estimated 5.4 million of South Africa's 48 million people are infected with the AIDS virus. An estimated 950 people died per day last year from AIDS-related diseases, and another 1,400 were infected each day -- a total of 530,000 new infections -- according to a report in November by the Actuarial Society of South Africa and the Medical Research Council.

"Part of leadership is having the courage to demonstrate true action. Today I have taken the test to demonstrate why it's so important."

Oprah Winfrey

It warned that fewer than half of South Africa's 15-year-olds would see their 60th birthday because of the pandemic, and said the country's youth faced a "bleak future."

Health authorities and AIDS activist groups say the stigmatization surrounding the virus and resulting reluctance to be tested is especially alarming. Young women are especially at risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Many of the girls at Winfrey's school come from families affected by AIDS.

Winfrey spoke to the families about the importance of providing students with a full array of medical tests -- including sight, hearing, HIV/AIDS and dental checks. She stressed that no girl would be forced to take a test, according to the statement.

She also offered free testing and anti-retroviral treatment to the students' caregivers and family members.

Winfrey selected the 11-to 12-year-old girls for the school from 3,500 applications across the country. To qualify, they had to show both academic and leadership potential and have a household income of no more than 5,000 rands (US$787) a month.

Winfrey's academy was opened last Tuesday at a ceremony attended by stars including film director Spike Lee, singer Tina Turner and former South African president Nelson Mandela.

Built on 21 hectares, the 28-building campus resembles a luxury hotel, with state-of-the-art classrooms, computer and science labs and a library, theater and wellness center.
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