Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - July 8, 2005
The former Clinton-era United States Cabinet member and ambassador to the United Nations is in South Africa to encourage local business to do more to save lives.
"It is frightening that over 90% of people living with the virus worldwide do not know they have it," Holbrooke said. "Unless people learn their HIV status, there is no way of stopping this horrible pandemic."
Holbrooke's organisation -- a coalition of nearly 200 companies, including 13 from South Africa -- is also launching "a practical guide for business managers", co-drafted by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, to guide smaller businesses on how to encourage staff to subject themselves to HIV/Aids testing.
He commended De Beers, Anglo American and Eskom for what they are already doing.
"All we are interested in is saving lives. The best way to combat HIV/Aids is to prevent its spread."
He said South African business' attitude to the pandemic has changed radically for the better in the past four years.
Even in heavily infected communities, such as Botswana (30%), 70% of the population is not infected.
Eskom human resources MD Mpho Letlape said HIV/Aids is no longer a death sentence, but merely a chronic disease like diabetes.
"Having HIV does not mean wrapping up your life and preparing to die," Letlape said.
De Beers chairperson Nicky Oppenheimer said HIV once posed a significant threat to the diamond-mining company, but with the cooperation of its unions, the tide has been turned.
Yet much remains to be done, and providing anti-retroviral treatment (ART) to employees and their life partners is just the beginning of the process.
Anglo American health senior vice-president Dr Brian Brink said about 2 200 employees are on ART.
But out of a total workforce of 145 000, he estimated 34 000 are infected and 9 000 need immediate treatment.
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