Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - July 10, 2005
Claire Keeton
This week during a visit to Johannesburg Richard Holbrooke, CEO and president of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/Aids, commended big business in South Africa for being world leaders against the pandemic.
He singled them out for being at the "global forefront" of HIV testing.
"Testing is the weak link in the ABC [abstinence, be faithful, condomise] prevention campaign. If people do not know their status, the disease will spread," he said, urging that HIV testing becoming routine.
HIV testing is critical to an effective strategy against HIV/Aids. Anglo American, De Beers and Eskom have made this a priority, setting targets and giving managers incentives to reach them.
This is achieved by creating a climate of trust and co-operating with unions.
The Anglo American mine Goedehoop Colliery is an example of this, with 96% of employees doing voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). Last year 21% of Anglo's 145000 employees went for testing; this year the target is 50%.
De Beers chairman Nicky Oppenheimer said that its "most important partner" against HIV/Aids was the National Union of Mineworkers
At the other end of the scale are the managers. Eskom human resources MD Mpho Letlape said that managers' bonuses were related to the number of employees going through VCT at Eskom.
This week the coalition, which opened its new African headquarters in Johannesburg, and Cosatu launched a practical guide for business managers on accelerating access to VCT.
The strategies employed by big business can be implemented by small companies and, as Anglo American's Dr Brian Brink observed, they pay off.
He said Anglo's mines leading the way against HIV/Aids were also the best in production and profitability.
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