Eight hundred thousand of 4.68million South Africans tested in the largest HIV-testing campaign yet have the virus.

Speaking at a World Aids Day event in Driefontein, Mpumalanga, yesterday, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe announced the results of the department of health's HIV Counselling and Testing campaign.

The department aims to meet its 15million target, but must double its efforts to test 10.32million more people before April next year.

At the event, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi repeated his call for people to get tested, and congratulated those who had "already come forward".

"I would like to challenge those who do not know their HIV status to take responsibility, to be tested," he said.

The minister announced plans by his department to target testing among pupils, university students and farm labourers, who are high-risk groups.

At a Love Life event held at Cresta shopping centre in northern Johannesburg to mark World Aids Day, award-winning house music duo Liquideep put their voice behind the testing campaign.

"I test every year - that is just what I do," said band member, Ryzor.

His band partner, Zion, explained why they were Love Life ambassadors: "We don't just want to tell teens not to do something, but to love their life and appreciate their life."

The duo contacted Love Life when they realised that their song Love your life could be used by others sending the same message they were preaching.

In Alexandra township, Johannesburg, Sithembile Nkosi waited to be counselled before taking an HIV test in a mobile testing van.

"I want to know what my status is," said Nkosi, who presents the drive show for the Alex FM radio station.

Not far from the van, crisis intervention organisation LifeLine Johannesburg and men's organisation Brothers for Life hosted a community meeting to discuss HIV.

Bafana Bafana player Matthew Booth and Kaizer Chiefs captain Jimmy Tau were some of the celebs supporting the campaign.

Brothers for Life ambassador and jazz musician Selaelo Selota said his message to men was "know your status, respect yourselves, avoid multiple partners and abstain if possible".

Across the street, vendor Seshane Mahlo, 30, was beaming with pride.

"You want to know my story?" she asked.

"My name is Seshane, I'm HIV positive. I want to tell people that HIV will not kill you - please just go and test. Look at me, I'm very fresh."