Nelson Mandela Metropole Business Coalition against HIV and AIDS

To strengthen the response of business in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, it was agreed that private sector initiatives in Port Elizabeth would fall under the auspices of SABCOHA. Extensive progress was achieved in solidifying relationships with the Nelson Mandela Metropole University, the local and provincial AIDS councils, the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) and the Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Workplace responses

SABCOHA facilitated the development of a strategy for business in the Nelson Mandela Metropole in October 2006. It thanks Volkswagen SA for its enthusiastic support for the strategic development process.

As part of this strategy, SABCOHA conducted a supply chain development initiative for Volkswagen SA which reached a number of small and medium-sized manufacturers. Further, in partnering with Netty Green, SABCOHA expanded its BizAIDS Programme to reach out to micro enterprises in Port Elizabeth.

In early 2007, SABCOHA hosted two peer educator forums in support of the critical interventions made by workplace peer educators. With support from Daimler Chrysler and Volkswagen SA these forums provided a crucial opportunity for peer educators to share experiences and deal with problems common to different workplaces. It also provided an opportunity for peer educators to benefit from the outcomes of research by Prof David Dickinson (from Wits Business School) and the expertise of trainer Linzi Smith.