The ubiquity of cellphones in South Africa, a country ravaged by HIV and AIDS, makes cell-
phones an easily accessible tool to use in participatory approaches to addressing HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) issues, particularly
in school contexts. In this article we explore a participatory visual approach undertaken with
a group of rural teachers, to uncover and address HIV and AIDS related issues. Drawing on
our experience in using participatory video, we used cellphones to produce cellphilms about
youth and risk in the context of HIV and AIDS. Noting that the teachers brought highly didactic
and moralistic tones into the cellphilms, we devised a “speaking back” approach to encourage
reflection and an adjustment to their approaches when addressing HIV and AIDS issues with
learners. We draw on the example of condom use in one cellphilm to demonstrate how a
“speaking back” pedagogy can encourage reflection and participatory analysis, and contribute
to deepening an understanding of how teachers might work with youth and risk in the context
of HIV and AIDS.

doi: 10.15700/201412171336