In Epicenter of Global HIV Crisis, Multiple Partners and Age Disparity Part of Problem

110,000 South Africans died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2017

A university student explains how to use a HIV self-test kit, in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 19, 2018. Mujahid Safodien /AFP/Getty Images

VULINDLELA, South Africa—Sweat streams from the young men’s faces as they pursue a soccer ball across a sun-baked pitch of red dust.

In the crowd of spectators is Gethwana Mahlase, a veteran HIV counselor.