Actress lends a hand in Africa

Jurnee Smollett, a rising star at the box office, is in Africa helping to promote awareness about HIV.

The actress is in South Africa as part of an international exchange programme with the US state department and is sharing information to help fight the virus.

She was guest of honour yesterday at the Durban University of Technology and told Sowetan that she was intending to be "networking with youth on HIV awareness".

"This trip is so fulfilling because I get to meet and exchange information with so many young people," she stated.

"HIV-Aids is a complex issue but there are so many common issues that allow us to learn from each other."

She has met with staff involved with programmes to help educate people on HIV, as well as taking time to talk to students who are taking part in the schemes.

Recently, Ms Smollett starred with Denzel Washington in The Great Debaters.

News brought to you by Global Health TV, covering the issues of health in the developing world