Fast condoms on sale in S Africa

Pronto condoms are not yet on sale outside South Africa

Condoms, which promoters say can be put on in just one second, are going on sale in South Africa this week.

"Using an ordinary condom is a real pain," says Pronto condom designer Willem van Rensburg.

"By the time the condom is on, the mood is halfway out the window." Pronto condoms do not need to be unwrapped.

Mr van Rensburg told the BBC he hopes it will encourage people to use condoms in a country where 5.5m people have HIV - one of the world's highest figures.

"If you're slow, it'll take you three seconds. You can really do it in one," Mr van Rensburg's former business partner Roelf Mulder told the AFP news agency.

'Passion-killer'

The firm's adverts, which can be seen on its website, feature jokes at the expense of two senior South African politicians - former Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.

Mr Zuma said in a court case that he had showered after having unprotected sex with a woman he knew to be HIV-positive in order not to contract the virus.

Dr Tshabalala-Msimang is known as "Dr Beetroot" for her advice to those with HIV to eat nutritious food such as garlic and beetroot.

Mr van Rensburg said he looked at the research into South Africa's Aids problem and found that low condom use was a real factor and this was largely because people found them difficult to use.

"People find it's a passion-killer and they're willing to take their chances."

He said it had taken him five years' hard work to get the product to market.

Pronto condoms are not yet on sale outside South Africa.