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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa holding a packet of the Max condoms. Picture: Supplied
“You must give them to Zuma!” Economic Freedom Fighters members shouted out this afternoon, as Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa held aloft two packets of condoms in the National Assembly.
“Maximum pleasure! Maximum protection! No noise,” said Ramaphosa, holding a pink packet of condoms in one hand and a purple packet in the other.
He said the condoms were called Max and were developed after users had complained about the smell and the sound from the government’s previous condoms.
Ramaphosa put the packets of condoms into his desk drawer after he entered the National Assembly, and pulled them out as part of his response to a question from an ANC MP on the government’s HIV/Aids policy.
The new condom brand was launched earlier this year by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in response to 2012 evidence that condom use was on a decline, especially among young people.
The Max brand replaced the public sector brand, Choice. The condoms – which come in flavours such as strawberry, banana and grape – will be distributed free of charge in tertiary institutions, hospitals and clinics.
Later on during the question session, DA chief whip John Steenhuisen likened Ramaphosa to the packets he had been showing off earlier, saying that he protected the executive.
“But it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth,” quipped Steenhuisen.
