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A GROUP of Knysna taxi drivers yesterday set an example at the Sanlam Mall taxi rank in Nekkies when they underwent voluntary HIV testing and challenged their colleagues and other residents to follow suit.

Taxi rank rent-master Dumisani Mkhize, who had arranged for a mobile testing clinic, said: “We need to wake up. We want to know our status. We need all the people in the location to come out.”

Driver Bongani Mditshwa said that since most taxi drivers “liked to have more than five girlfriends”, they needed to be tested.

“In the old days taxi drivers were sleeping around without condoms,” Mkhize said.

Madeleine Damons, of mobile testing clinic Thats It, sponsored by the Foundation for Professional Development, said although people understood the need for testing, they were afraid.

Some of the men to whom she explained the need for testing were not keen. Damons said they needed more time.

In general, she said, more women came forward for testing at the mobile clinic, which serves the greater Knysna area. For every 10 women who came forward, only four men did.

Mditshwa said schoolchildren needed to go for testing because they engaged in drinking and unplanned sex at weekends.

“They wake up in the morning and don’t even know where they are or who the man is next to them, and no condoms were used,” he said.

While taxi driver Derek Kumalo said he would not be tested, Masilo Motangane initially walked away but returned later to be tested.

Taxi drivers Charles Twayise and Xolani Mase both volunteered for testing.

Twayise said although he trusted himself, he still needed to know his status.

Mase urged the others: “Please, it’s the right thing. Let’s go and test, guys.”