South Africa: Hope Amid an Appalling Epidemic -- The Corporate Response

Spurred by economic as well as social concerns, many South African corporations are setting up HIV/AIDS programs to encourage employees to be tested and get treatment. One difficulty in implementing the programs, however, is stigma. Many South Africans feel it is taboo to talk about sex, while others believe HIV/AIDS is a myth. Many fear losing their jobs if they test HIV-positive.

The mining company Anglo American convinced 90 percent of workers at Goedehoop, its flagship mining site, to take HIV tests. Confidentiality and assurances of non-discrimination were key to the program's success. Today, Anglo American has 2,000 employees on free antiretrovirals, and recent testing suggested the mine's HIV outbreak is being contained.

DaimlerChrysler; the drinks group SABMiller; Barclay's bank; Lafarge, a building materials firm; and Gold Fields, a gold-mining company, are among other corporations with HIV/AIDS programs for employees. Many use peer educators to approach employees about HIV/AIDS, feeling this will help soothe fears of discrimination and make safe sex messages more acceptable.

HIV/AIDS poses a serious threat to South African corporations, taking a toll in absenteeism, early pension payouts, and the need to recruit replacement staff. UNAIDS estimates South Africa's workforce could shrink by 30 percent by 2020 if HIV/AIDS is not halted. Dr. Azaz Jammine, an economic consultant, said HIV/AIDS generally reduces economic growth by 0.5-1 percent per annum.

But corporate HIV/AIDS programs are only part of the effort needed to control the pandemic. Many South Africans live off the land in isolated rural areas, and thousands of urban poor live in townships.

"We need to take care of our people," said Anil Bhagwanjee of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who is advising Lafarge on its program. "Antiretrovirals are cheaper than ever before, so to say we can't afford them has become less plausible."

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