A child dies every 60 seconds from malaria. But Goodbye Malaria, an initiative by African entrepreneurs, believes this disease could be eliminated in our lifetime. Malaria Day falls on Saturday, 25 April and Goodbye Malaria is encouraging Africans to spread awareness and support their cause.

On the African continent children under five and pregnant mothers are severely threatened by death because of Malaria. Malaria is treatable, preventable and can be eliminated in our lifetime. Goodbye Malaria is using creativity to solve one of Africa’s biggest problems. Supporters of the cause can now purchase African items from their online store, with all proceeds going directly to those affected by the illness.

Malaria affects 50% of the world today. Since October 2013 Goodbye Malaria has protected more than 120 000 people in Mozambique’s Boane province by spraying more than 35 000 homes, reducing Malaria in this area by 67%.

Goodbye Malaria started off with the launch of its new website and online shop. On Wednesday, 22 April, MiCasa, the Goodbye Malaria brand ambassador represented by J’Something, raced against the clock at the Beading for Malaria Challenge. In 24 minutes (representing 24 hours in the daily fight against Malaria), 899 bracelets were beaded. The sale of these bracelets will fund the spraying of 1797 homes which will potentially protect 5391 lives.

On Thursday, 23 April, Goodbye Malaria released brand ambassador Kingsley Holgate’s inspiringYouTube video on World Malaria Day. Holgate has had malaria 50 times. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, another Goodbye Malaria brand ambassador is also a tireless malaria warrior committed to Africa and the Goodbye Malaria Programme.

Goodbye Malaria’s online shop sells shwe shwe lounge pants, mashozi bears and bracelets proudly made by Africans, the proceeds directly fund Goodbye Malaria’s proven elimination spray programme. 

“The shwe shwe pants come in five afrocentric colours and sell for R350 each, they’re the perfect gift and can be purchased online,” says Robert Brozin, founder of both Goodbye Malaria and Nandos. “You are also invited to join us this weekend in Fourways, Johannesburg for the launch of the Ingénuité store in Montecasino, which will sell our shwe shwe pants so you too can save a in your sleep.”

For more information, visitwww.goodbyemalaria.com. Alternatively connect with them on Facebookand on Twitter.