Mafoko (real name Tshepo Ditsebe) is a recording artist with the Bang Gae stable “I am a song writer, producer and also a vocalist, popularly known as ‘Mafoko’ in the music industry” He shared. He “spits” a few Motswako rhymes and from his latest single called ‘Maphakela’. The Mango tree project according to Tshepo was released on the 3rd of December 2017 with 7 songs.

Tshepo recalls, “Though I heard about VMMC in 2011 it took me 7 solid years to finally circumcise. It took this long because I had my doubts about the procedure. The misconceptions flying around about circumcision also made it impossible for me to consider it at all”, recalled Ditsebe. “A decision to circumcise is not as easy as many assume, shares a 24 year old,” added Ditsebe.

Misconceptions usually distort the true message being communicated. It tends to cloud our judgments thereby shifting people‘s focus from the core message to assuming the worst possible scenarios which do not exist at all. It is these misconceptions that are contributing to the low uptake of VMMC services in the country.

“I heard the circumcision message through a road show campaign themed ‘Take a Lead, get circumcise’ when they came to our area in Mogoditshane. Despite hearing the message I never took heed to it because I wasn’t seeing the long term benefits of circumcision to my life. Other people’s perceptions also made it difficult for me to consider circumcising. I really needed a lot of convincing.”

Ditsebe further narrates that he finally took the decision to circumcise after witnessing all his four friends had circumcised. He saw the whole process from the point they circumcised till the healing. “I finally decided to circumcise after realizing from my friends’ experience that it is actually not as bad as I thought. As I kept checking on them and realizing that they were coping, all my doubts were wiped away and I was convinced that if they did it I can cope too” Ditsebe narrated.

The day I went to the facility at Nkoyaphiri clinic, though fear kept creeping in me, my courage was boosted by a 13 year old boy who was at the facility to circumcise too. He was confident, and his eagerness really encouraged me to go ahead with doing the procedure and not pay attention to my fears.

Ditsebe confirmed boldly that he is proudly circumcised and happy with the service he received. “There has been a huge difference in my health and life ever since I circumcised. My healing is complete and my last checkup was on the 19th of February 2018. I am happy that I am circumcised”.

His advice to all uncircumcised men is that they should be courageous and not hesitant to go ahead and circumcise. “From my experience is not as painful as people are painting it. Yes there is a bit of pain but painkillers are provided to sedate the pain after that, it is well” He confirmed.