South Africa launches malaria scheme

A new campaign to help the fight against malaria has been launched.

The South African arm of the United Against Malaria scheme is being out in place to coincide with the build-up to the 2010 football World Cup, which the country will host.

Football body FIFA is among the organisations backing the campaign, which aims to use the sporting event to help raise awareness of the disease.

Christina Barrineau of the initiative told eyewitnessnews.co.za: "It is an historic moment that African countries are standing up and really seizing the banner of this campaign and taking it forward on their rounds. I strongly believe that if we can change the course of this disease, we can change the course of the continent."

As part of the campaign videos showing the effects of malaria will be screened during matches at the World Cup.

Earlier this week, a team of celebrities, including Gary Barlow and Fearne Cotton, travelled to Uganda to help deliver nets which will be used to help prevent the spread of the disease.

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