SWABCHA has partnered with the National Emergency Response Committee on HIV- AIDS (NERCHA) to mitigate the HIV pandemic in the private sector. SWABCHA organized a World AIDS Day Commemoration event for the workplace this year with support from the Regional Multi-Sectoral HIV-AIDS Coordinating Committee (REMSHACC).
On this event, companies were invited to bring their peer educators and a representative from management (including HIV-AIDS Focal person) to an open day to
• Commemorate the World AIDS Day
• Experiences and lesson sharing from each other
• Appreciate the work that has been done so far in the workplace programs
• Meet and get to know each other
The Lubombo region private sector World AIDS Campaign was held at the Mhlume Country Club on the 25th of November 2009.A total of 60 people were present on the day. The event was co-funded by REMSHACC Lubombo, SWABCHA. The companies that were represented include;
1. RSSC
2. Red Cross
3. Tambankulu Estate
4. Nedbank
5. HS Transport
6. Satellite Investments
7. Mutrons Construction Company (MCC)
8. Ubombo Sugar
The welcome remarks were made by the hosting company; Ms. Dudu Motsa on behalf of Ms Faith Motsa. In her comments, she acknowledged the efforts made by SWABCHA in the fight against the HIV AIDS pandemic in the private sector. Furthermore, she encouraged peer educators in supporting their peers not necessarily on HIV or health issues alone but life issues as well. She commended the endeavor SWABCHA has made in encouraging employees to also get tested for the blood glucose and cholesterol levels, which according to her ones knowledge of these tests enables one being responsible for owns health, leading to a behavioral change towards attaining optimal health.
She acknowledged participants who came from their respective areas in the region to commemorate the World Aids Day as peer educators of the region, she appealed with them to use this opportunity as an experience sharing moment because such times are scarce due to busy work schedules. Therefore they must learn from each other.
In conclusion, she encouraged everyone to attend the World AIDS Day on the 1st December 2009 to be held at Siteki.
Following the opening remarks, Mandlenkosi Motsa from Tambankulu presented a motivational talk acknowledging the hard work that peer educators and company focal persons have done in the response to HIV-AIDS.
He deliberated on the danger of judging ones status on her/his physical appearance but mobilized peer educators to encourage their peers to be aware of their sexual partners HIV status before engaging on sexual activity.
After tea break,
The forum was opened for peer educators to deliberate on highlights and challenges in their different companies. Of note were these highlights;
Before the peer educators forwarded their comments one of them asked if everyone knew the meaning of the red ribbon and why it was worn on the left side.
Thereafter peer educators were given a platform to share their experiences.
Companies such as RSSC and Tambankulu are commended for the full support they give to their peer educators. They also acknowledge the support they receive from SWABCHA which lead to the success their wellness programs.
• Companies like Mutrons Construction Company, HS Transport, and Satellite Investments did not have the employee’s wellness program in place and they are ready to get the programs started, as these companies are greatly affected by the HIV pandemic. They acknowledged the support they have received from the RSSC HIV Coordinator who had encouraged them to attend this event.
• Some peer educators commended the support they receive from the company management, like RSSC, Tambankulu, and Ubombo Sugar which has strengthened their program.
• The issues of concern that were discussed include;
-disclosure of the HIV results between partners
-the high incidence of multiple concurrent partners, possible reasons that
-lead to such an immoral behavior
-the combination of traditional concoction with Ante Retroviral
Therapy by HIV infected clients.
• Communication between sexual partners was identified as the key instrument in the prevention of new HIV infections and re-infection.
Red Cross Siteki group provided the ‘edutainment in the form of a drama on stigma and discrimination.
Recommendations made to SWABCHA included;
• Companies, MCC and HS transport requested SWABCHA`S support to get the wellness programs started.
• Lobby to Government to have a legislation that will protect people from being deliberately infected with HIV by their sexual partners. For more information contacr us
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 August 2010 )
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