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June 2002

United Nations AIDS award for DCSA  DaimlerChrysler South Africa's HIV/AIDS awareness programme has been recognised by the United Nations as a leading example of a public-private partnership in the fight against the global endemic.

The honour was bestowed upon DaimlerChrysler by The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) and the International AIDS Trust (IAT) for the company's comprehensive prevention and care programme for its staff and their families in South Africa, which includes access to anti-retroviral therapy

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former US President and chairman of the IAT BILL Clinton presented the awards to DaimlerChrysler management board chairman and incoming chairman of the GBC Jürgen Schrempp.

Anan, commented that HIV/AIDS is the worst epidemic humanity has ever faced and left unchecked has a devastating impact on every part of society. "While all sectors of society must engage in the fight against this disease the most important is the business community. Business is increasingly recognising that fighting AIDS is in their interest and that doing so combines good business with doing good."

For his part Clinton said global interdependence is the dominant force of our day and the issues that affect us are all intertwined. "If we want to reduce poverty, promote stability, advance democracy, and increase peace and prosperity we must win the war on AIDS." 

Attending the meeting with a German Government fact-finding  mission of private public partnership in DCSA East London were (from left), the Management Board Member for Human Resources, Johann Evertse; Dr Andrea Knigge, GTZ co-ordinator; Dr Clifford Panter, DCSA HIV/AIDS Policy and Programme Co-ordinator; Andreas Foerster of the German Ministry for Economic Co-operation; DCSA's Group HR Manager, Mike Folan; local consultant, Chris Darroll, with Alfred Pfuhl, Hartmut Voelkl and Michael Krakke, all consultants to the Ministry.
	Humbled Christoph Köpke,  CEO and Chairman of DCSA... "a humbling honour"
	Full-time HIV/Aids Task Force Co-ordinator, Dr Clifford Panter, with Karien Liebenberg, Pretoria's clinic nursing sister, and Kay Holmes, Pinetown's clinic sister

Speaking at the awards ceremony Christoph Köpke, CEO and chairman of DCSA noted that the award represented a singular honour for the South African company. "When we embarked upon our HIV/AIDS workplace policy our motivation was two-fold, to do something for our employees and their community and as a business imperative for our company. To be internationally recognised in this manner, for doing what any good corporate citizen should be doing, is a humbling honour. 

"As South Africans the most earnest wish of our company's HIV/AIDS task team and all our employees, is that the international community must share its experiences to collectively combat this scourge. 

"This recognition by the UN helps in creating the awareness that AIDS is an international disease - knowing no economic, geographic or demographic boundaries. It is a disease of the modern world; to be fought by us all."

As incoming chairman of the GBC, Schrempp, said global companies could only be successful if they make an active contribution as global citizens to local communities around the world. "DaimlerChrysler plays an active role in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in southern Africa. We can combine our strength with other corporate leaders through the GBC and together help in overcoming challenges that face humanity and make a world-wide impact." 

DCSA-East London Peer Educators and assistants from the National Association of People Living With Aids (NAPWA) in the HIV/AIDS Education tent (from left) Alex Sajini, Zolile Makathala, Sibonsile Mthunzi (NAPWA), Gcobisa Zwezwe (NAPWA), Vuyani Mbinda, Nomfundo Xotyeni (NAPWA) and Headman Jass.

Anan noted that DCSA has made an outstanding contribution in the fight against AIDS and richly deserved the 2002 GBC Awards for Business Excellence in the Workplace. To this he added that the South African programme exemplifies the best kind of public-private partnership approach in the fight against HIV/AIDS. "You have shown what can be achieved by facing this insidious enemy head-on and working together to defeat it. It is only through such partnerships that we can hope to succeed in the fight against AIDS." He then thanked Schrempp, for strong leadership and a steadfast commitment to a stronger, healthier, more prosperous Africa. "I hope business leaders throughout the world will be inspired by your example."

FleetWatch congratulates DaimlerChrysler South Africa not only on this magnificent achievement but also on the effort it has put into fighting HIV/AIDS. You truly do serve as an example for others to follow.