By Neo Mohajane | Business Development Lead
Choma is an interactive digital mobile magazine and a project of HIVSA, created to provide a safe and inclusive space for teens and young adults across South Africa.
Catering to young women and men between the ages of 15 and 25, Choma is designed to feel like a trusted best friend offering relatable, credible advice on the issues that matter most. From HIV prevention and gender-based violence to health, relationships, sex, pregnancy, lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and entertainment, Choma blends fun and serious conversations to reflect the realities of youth.
Our mission is to connect with South Africa’s youth, inspire informed lifestyle choices, and contribute to building the next HIV-free generation.
Choma empowers young people by focusing on health, wellness, relationships, and personal growth. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, it welcomes all voices, fostering a supportive environment where stories are shared, heard, and used to shape a healthier, more connected future for everyone.
Achievements
Ask Choma is a feature where users can reach out to trained moderators for advice and pyschosocial support. Users often ask questions related to these themes and content pillars to seek accurate information and support, reflecting their lived experiences. Many of these themes carry underlying issues such as stigma, stress, misinformation and neglect. These themes include Love and relationships, mental health, sexual and reproductive health and pregnancy termination.
In this period, 647 users asked questions and received psychosocial support on Ask Choma. The most commonly asked questions were:
*How do I know if I have a sexually transmitted infection? It is itchy down there.
*Choma, I missed my period and I think I might be pregnant. How can I terminate at home?
*Can I use disprin and coke (coca cola) to terminate this pregnancy at home?
*What is PEP and PrEP?
*Choma, can a boyfriend rape his girlfriend? My boyfriend forced himself on me a few years ago and i got pregnant. I struggle to love this baby and I am always sad and angry. What can I do to make this feeling go away?
Choma recently partnered with an AI powered Chatbot called SELF-CAV which means "know yourself" to ensure that users have access to an instant messanging chatbot to respond to their questions and provide referral support.
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