Projects & Events

Sex, Soaps and Sensationalism: Multiple and Concurrent Partnerships (MCP) in the Popular Media in SA

4 March 2009

At this seventh HIV/AIDS & the Media discussion forum, the focus was on Multiple and Concurrent Partnerships (MCPs). A range of experts and media practitioners met at the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg on March 4, 2009 where they took the opportunity to explore MCPs and their portrayal in the popular media, particularly in South African soap operas.

The forum was hosted by the HIV/AIDS & the Media Project and USAID/Johns Hopkins University Programme in South Africa, in partnership with the Soul City Institute for Health Development Communication and matchboxology.

The forum was chaired by Tim Modise, of SAfm. Presenters included Professor Leickness Simbayi (acting executive director, Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Programme, Human Sciences Research Council), Lebo Ramofoko (senior executive for media, Soul City Institute) Sandra Roberts (research manager, Media Monitoring Africa), and Warren Parker (co-founder, Centre for AIDS Development, Research and Evaluation). Download their presentations below.

The panellists included Neil McCarthy (head writer for Rhythm City), Steven Raymond (co-ordinating producer for Isidingo), Sophie Ndaba (of Generations fame), Kgomotso Matsunyane (T.O.M. Pictures) and Debbie Gebhardt (Levi’s marketing manager).