While the announcement of a new character on the South African version of Sesame Street, Takalani Sesame, sent the U.S. press into orbit, African papers only briefly mentioned the introduction of the new female muppet, one living with HIV. The differences in reactions illustrates why the character is appropriate in South Africa but perhaps not yet in America.

The HIV-positive Muppet will help present HIV/AIDS in an age-appropriate way, such as teaching children the precautions to take when the Muppet gets a cut and letting them know that contact such as shaking hands puts no one at risk.

The HIV-afflicted Muppet is a good idea in Africa because it adds one more weapon to help fight the epidemic. With rates of infection of 20 percent or more in many sub-Saharan African countries, anything that can be added to the arsenal to slow the spread of this killer is essential.

In Africa, television is often viewed in a community setting. In a lounge in a college dorm or packed around the screen in a pub, the act of watching television in Africa is uniquely communal. In South Africa, a nation where nearly one-fifth of the public is infected, few people admit their HIV status for fear of being ostracized.

As communities view a happy muppet living openly with HIV, they will have the forum for discussing the sensitive topic, beginning with a simple and non-threatening children’s take on the subject. Hopefully, the South African Muppet will serve as a launch pad for more sophisticated presentations and discussions, eventually contributing to the social destigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS.

As the primary exporter of global culture, the United States should commend the creative teams of South Africa’s Sesame Street for courageously addressing HIV/AIDS. In the spirit of Sesame Street, the HIV muppet will tackle a tough issue in a reassuring, age-appropriate manner – just like Sesame Street has handled death, disabilities, and diversity issues in the past.

Rather than reacting negatively to the HIV Muppet, we should anxiously await its debut and watch for its efficacy in increasing awareness and communication about HIV/AIDS.

Though it is debatable whether an HIV-positive Muppet would make sense in America, where the incidence of HIV/AIDS is much lower, we should observe the reaction in South Africa. If the Muppet proves to be a good way of increasing awareness, the producers of the American Sesame Street should consider using a similar character to address pressing public health concerns in the United States, such as obesity or cancer.

Bravo to South Africa’s Sesame Street for getting involved in educating the public about HIV/AIDS. Time will tell whether the HIV Muppet will be part of the U.S. show, but regardless, it’s a good idea in South Africa.

Editorial Board: Dave Roepke, Erin Randolph, Charlie Weaver, Megan Hinds, Rachel Faber Machacha