BUSINESS ACROSS the Eastern Cape is tackling the spread of the HIV/Aids pandemic in South Africa. In the Nelson Mandela Metro, organised has taken the lead by setting up a non-profit company dedicated to the fight against HIV/Aids. The Section 21 (not for profit) company to be set up by the Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Percci) is believed to be the first such structure in the country. Percci says the planned establishment of the structure, to be known as “Business Against Aids” followed consultation and discussions with local business and various other stakeholders or interest parties, all of whom approved of the collective business effort in the struggle against HIV/Aids. In East London, DaimlerChrysler South Africa Aids specialist Dr Clifford Panter told business that "HIV/Aids has become the key strategic issue in sub-Saharan Africa. All the evidence shows that spending money now (on best practice HIV-Aids workplace strategies) will reduce the amount of money spent later." Addressing local members of the Public Relations Institute of South Africa (Prisa), Panter said it was crucial for business to grasp the enormity of the pandemic. He said any HIV-Aids workplace strategy should hinge on three, inter-related strategies - preventing the spread of HIV, protecting and enhancing the quality of life of those already infected, and ensuring the ultimate survival of the organisation. Companies should resist focusing only on the two extremes of prevention and drug therapy and should give adequate attention to the "huge middle section" of basic health care, including basic health and wellness programmes for all employees. "Voluntary testing is essential. Everyone needs to know their HIV status," he said. One of the industry leaders is the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, which has joined forces with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, the Department of Education and a project team from non-governmental organisations and the University of Port Elizabeth to address Aids at senior primary level. Ford is funding a pilot "Life Skills Programme Focusing on HIV/Aids Education for Primary School Youth" project to test the hypothesis that "Effective implementation of the National Life Skills HIV/Aids Education Programme needs ongoing support for Teachers and alters Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions in Learners".