Siyakhana Health Trust founder Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has received a Global Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) commendation for its role in the Siyakhana project.

Annually the GBC acknowledges the efforts of companies around the world for implementing comprehensive and effective programmes 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 Buffalo City municipality. 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 for 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 organisations 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 organisation 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. MBSA received the commendation at a gala event on June 10. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS where among the honoured guests.