Mercedes-Benz South Africa Receives International Recognition for HIV and AIDS Initiative
Zwartkop, Pretoria, South Africa / Stuttgart, Germany, June 04, 2008
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has been commended for its Expanded HIV and AIDS Community Project - called Siyakhana - in the Eastern Cape. The Global Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) annually acknowledges the efforts of companies around the world for implementing the most sophisticated, effective programs using the unique capabilities of business to fight these diseases.
MBSA in 2006 decided to use its experience gained from its own HIV and AIDS workplace interventions and extend its commitment not just to its key suppliers and dealer network, but also to other small and medium-sized enterprises within the municipality of East London. To achieve the objectives set out, MBSA successfully enlisted the partnership of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health and obtained financial support from the German development agency DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH).
"Around the world, there is a growing recognition that existing public resources are not sufficient to the task at hand, and that it is imperative to tap into the skills, know-how and resources of the private sector, says GBC President and CEO Richard Holbrooke. "UNAIDS, WHO, Stop TB and other important international organizations have been increasing the volume and frequency of their calls for the private sector to take a more active role.
"The prospects for winning the fight against global epidemics are stronger now than ever before, and these awards are showing the world what is possible for business to achieve," says Holbrooke. "Business action is making the critical difference. If we get it right - and our partners are depending on us to do just that - business has the power to reach millions of people in a way that no other organization can. It possesses the skills, resources and influence to achieve otherwise inconceivable outcomes. We need many, many more to make their own contribution."
GBC's recognition is designed to celebrate the biggest successes and to attract more companies to put their talents, knowledge and resources to work as part of a well-coordinated global campaign. The gala event where the award will be handed to MBSA is being organized to coincide with the United Nations 2008 High-Level Meeting on AIDS, slated for June 10th-11th. Honored guest UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join GBC for this year's event, as well as Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
About the GBC
The Global Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) is a coalition of more than 220 leading companies united to keep the fight against HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria a global priority. The Coalition's members share learnings from the front lines of the fight, and GBC provides tailored support so that companies can take an active role in defeating the pandemics. GBC also organizes collective actions among companies, and links the public and private sectors in ways that pool talents and resources. For more information about business action against global epidemics, visit: http://www.gbcimpact.org
About the SIYAKHANA project
Mercedes-Benz South Africa is well known for its involvement in enhancing the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS in the private sector in South Africa. The company's HIV and AIDS strategy aims at effectively addressing the development challenge posed by HIV and AIDS to Mercedes-Benz SA's employees, their families, business operations, economic and social development more broadly. The corporation's own HIV and AIDS workplace programs have been recognized by UNAIDS, ILO, WHO, the World Economic Forum and the Global Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS as an example of global best practice.
The MBSA manufacturing plant in East London, employs just over 3 000 people who support more than 15 000 family members in the communities in which they live. Probably more than 8 000 people are employed in companies supplying goods and services to this production facility.
MBSA in 2006 decided to use its experience gained from its own HIV and AIDS workplace interventions and extend its commitment not just to its key suppliers and dealer network, but also to other small and medium sized enterprises within the municipality of Buffalo City. To achieve the objectives of such an initiative, MBSA successfully enlisted the partnership of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health and obtained financial support from the German development agency DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH).
The partners raised R4,4 million with Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) contributing 58%, DEG 36% and BKCOB and participating SMEs 6%. The SME Project offered 17 participating companies a unique program that has been positively received and has improved testing rates and take-up of antiretroviral treatment thus keeping HIV positive employees strong and economically active for longer. This provides a win-win situation for employers and employees.
