Abstract
M.Comm.
The objective of this study was to provide the necessary information regarding the areas
in which HIV/AIDS will impact on the private sector and also to quantify the impact of
HIV/AIDS on the private sector.
Chapter One introduces HIV/AIDS. Chapter Two provides the latest statistics regarding
the epidemic. Chapter three illustrates the various ways in which HIV can and will
impact on various companies within the South African economy. The chapter shows that
the impact on business in South Africa will be substantial not only in terms of the loss of
productive labour but also in terms of the potential cost implications as AIDS affects the
workforce. Chapter four quantifies the losses that will be incurred if prevention
programmes are not implemented as well as the savings that can be made if prevention
programmes are implemented. Chapter five draws attention to the sectors that are most at
risk with respect to loss of labour and reliance on a skilled labour force. Corporations,
especially those with large numbers of employees in the high risk age group, will have to
manage and cope more with the impact and burden of this disease.
Chapter Six illustrates that we are not helpless against the epidemic. Intervention
programmes have been implemented in South African companies which have been
shown to be successful.
In the light of the latest HIV figures for South Africa we cannot afford to sit back and
hope that the problem will pass us by. Other countries have managed to impact positively
on the epidemic and so can we.