Global Fund supports SA initiatives to fight HIV and AIDS

The Global Fund will finance five initiatives relating to HIV/Aids under its Workplace Programme through a contribution of over R36 million. These initiatives are:

• Project Promote, a public private partnership to assist in reaching government condom distribution targets,
  
• BizAIDS, helping micro and small sized companies protect their businesses from threats such as HIV and AIDS,
  
• Peer Educator Training and Support, HIV and AIDS Counselling and Testing and
  
• SAB's Tavern Intervention Programme for Men (TIP).

Each initiative is further strengthened through the resources of SAB, SABCOHA and government.

The programme will run over a period of 5 years with SABCOHA as sub-recipient, responsible for the overall management, monitoring and evaluation of the programme.

The financing follows the approval of the National Religious Association for Social Development's (NRASD) as a Global Fund Round 9 Principle Recipient.

The Global Fund Workplace Programme focus supports the following goals:

• Intensifying community-level behaviour change interventions
  
• Strengthening the promotion of safe-sexual practice among most-at-risk groups
  
• Supporting the government driven HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) Campaign
  
• Expanding access to wellness programmes within workplace environments without extensive support.

SABCOHA CEO Brad Mears says: "SABCOHA is excited about the Workplace programme, which is an innovative and unique answer to mobilising a community response.

"The success of the programme will undoubtedly have an impact on the positive goal of Government's HCT campaign with the partnership between SAB and SABCOHA already achieving successes."

Aiming to reduce infection rate

SABCOHA hopes that through continued support from institutions like the Global Fund, business will achieve its vision of reducing the infection rate of HIV and AIDS whilst increasing a positive and responsible attitude that ultimately relates to economic and social development.

SAB director of corporate affairs and transformation Dr Vincent Maphai says: "This multi-stakeholder partnership gives added hope in driving a meaningful and effective impact in the lives of communities. SAB believes that change is only truly possible when like-minded, capable and resource-rich organisations and role players combine their strengths."

The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent Tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS and Malaria, identified as three of the world's most devastating diseases. Since its inception in 2001, the organisation has emerged as the predominant funder of these diseases, making up two-thirds of international commitment.

SAB's TIP is one of the most progressive initiatives within the Global Fund Workplace Programme. Officially implemented in October 2010 in partnership with Men for Development in South Africa (Medsa), it is aimed at encouraging behavioural change amongst men. The initiative covers four trends most prevalent in South Africa: Responsible Alcohol Consumption, HIV/Aids, gender violence and child abuse. These are dealt with during interactive workshops held in taverns, a unique element of programme.

Effective public/private partnerships essential in fight

Global Fund manager Resource Mobilisation Unit - Private Sector, David Evans says: "The fight against diseases like HIV and AIDS can only be won through effective public/private partnership. Of course, the private sector should provide resources, but the private sector can provide so much more, notably the skills, energy and creativity of its people.

"SAB's shebeen and tavern programme is a great example, and we are delighted that it is a part of our wider grant in South Africa. The programme provides a great mechanism to reach vulnerable populations with important health messages through some of SAB's own consumer touch points."

SAB is also a strategic partner in Project Promote, using its existing infrastructure, namely depots and truck drivers delivering stock to outlets, to deliver condoms to taverns. SAB carried out a successful pilot of the project in August and September 2010 and will officially implement it across the country over the coming months.