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Introduction
In South Africa today there are two types of people, those infected and those that are affected by HIV/AIDS. This epidemic seeks to undermine efforts made by South Africans to grow and strengthen our economy. The direct result of this is skills erosion and decreased productivity, which, if left unattended will have a negative impact on the bottom line results and survival of businesses. The cost of doing nothing is very high!
The research has revealed that Awareness campaigns coupled with Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) have resulted in mere 35% - 45% participants wanting to know their HIV status. The main reason for this low uptake is that HIV has largely been portrayed as a “death sentence”, therefore fear and stigma are a major hindrance to any intervention.
My purpose
What matters most to me is being able to touch someone’s life, light it up and leave them feeling alive and filled with so much hope and determination to fight for their lives!
My approach
It is my premise that the challenge of HIV starts with individuals, therefore success with any intervention begins when individuals realize that we may not all be infected, however we are all affected. Therefore we all need to take ownership of the challenge of HIV/AIDS. By doing this we become empowered to be able to help ourselves, a loved one, a colleague and even an acquaintance.
My core concern therefore is to offer my participants a liberating experience with simple, practical yet highly effective presentations that seek to inform, infuse hope and challenge them to live fully and take control of their own lives. As a result, a very large number of participants (85% and more) realize that to take control of one’s life with regards to HIV/AIDS starts with knowing one’s HIV status!
Some comments from participants: “it was so good to see a person, whatever happened in her past that still has the passion and guts to the full and set goals in her life. She must have been very inspirational to everyone as these sessions because of her positive ness regardless of what her condition is and she has the confidence to speak openly about everything. She has answered all the questions asked and definitely made a great contribution to the training on HIVAIDS”
“I found out last year that I was HIV positive, I was thinking of resigning from work as I thought there was no reason for me to work anymore because HIV was going to kill me anyway, but now that I have learnt from Busi’s presentation that I have a choice to allow HIV to control my life or fight for my life. I feel like I have been given a second chance in life”
For the business this means a workforce that is hopeful and motivated because suddenly individuals though they may be HIV positive, feel they still have a chance to beat this disease, work for their families, their future and achieve their dreams. They feel they have been given a second chance in life. This result in decreased absenteeism, increased morale, increased productivity and decreased number of deaths, all which have a positive impact on the bottom line!
My experience
I have extensive experience in rolling out HIV/AIDS Programme Project Management and providing a personalized service for maximum results. A member of Treatment Action Campaign is also involved in a community work. Does a lot of research on the subject; I am a subject matter expert in my own right. As a person living with HIV it is important for me to find out about everything regarding HIV/AIDS.
My clients:
Pioneer Foods: 10 000 employees’ 150 branches through out South Africa
SABC 1, Siyayinqoba (every Sundays @ 13H30), Law and Freedom and Aluta continua programmes (documentaries)
Swartlands Wines, Malmesbury.
References:
Dr Tania Vergnani, University of Western Cape, 021- 9592247
Mrs. Rosa scheepers, Human Resources, pioneer Foods, FS & KZN Bakeries, 058- 3074400
Mr. Anton de Leeuw, General Manager, Pioneer Foods, FS& KZN Bakeries, 058-3074400
Ms Fairooz Gasant, HR officer, pioneer Foods, Tydstroom Chicken business, 021-
Ms Liz Clarke, Divisional HR Manager, Craft Box- pioneer Foods packaging business, 022-5773095.
Mr. Khorombi Nelwamondo, General Manager, Bokomo Foods Breakfast Cereal, 011-8240000
Dr Jack Lewis, Producer SABC Beat It programme, Idol Pictures, 021 7889163
Ms Margot, Swartlands Wines, 0224821134
Acknowledgments
During the G8 summit held in Scotland July 2005, I had the opportunity to be acknowledged by UN Secretary General – Mr. Kofi Annan, Mr. Gordon Brown-minister of finance, England, professor Feacham of Global Fund, Dr Peter Pyott, and President of UNAIDS
And Pierre peyrot of mondopop studios, Paris, +1917 3656733
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Copyright © 2006 Busi Maqungo. All rights reserved.
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