Taverns become agents in the fight against HIV/Aids

The SAB is using its distribution footprint to deliver condoms to local taverns the company serves accross the country.

South African Breweries’ (SAB) distribution of 845 million condoms is expected to assist in averting more than 1.6 million new HIV infections in the country over a period of five years. According to John Stover, founding president of Futures Institute, for every 500 condoms distributed at least one new infection is averted. This indicates that condoms are highly effective in protecting individuals against contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. While SAB, as a leading responsible corporate citizen, takes progressive and bold steps to improve society it believes that positive results can only be achieved by forming critical partnerships with government and other relevant organisations and individuals. The SAB head of social Investment, Hepsy Mkhungo says their partnership with the Department of Health is an important example of how government and the private sector can work together to have a meaningful impact. “SAB cares about the negative impact that the spread of HIV/Aids is having on the stability of the country’s communities and on our consumers and ultimately, economic development. It is for this reason that we have committed ourselves towards the fight against the pandemic,” says Mkhungo. He says they’re using their infrastructure and extensive distribution footprint to deliver condoms to local taverns the company serves across the country. SABs 40 distribution depots are used as primary distribution sites where condom stock is stored and collected by truck drivers for distribution during their scheduled delivery run. Mkhungo says the reduction of HIV/Aids is one of SABs top 10 sustainable development priorities and is aligned to the success and sustainability of their business. Currently, each tavern receives two boxes of 400 condoms in total per month and some taverns have requested that additional stock is delivered because of the positive response. Sello Mohlala, a tavern manager in Soweto, welcomed the initiative saying: “This thing (HIV/Aids) is killing people here in the township and it is at places like taverns where people meet and if they don’t have protection at that particular time it’s a problem.”

Sixteen thousand local South African taverns will receive their share of more than 845 million condoms to be distributed by SAB over the next five years. This will be undertaken in terms of a public private partnership between SAB, the National Department of Health, the South African Business Coalition on HIV/Aids and the Society of Family Health, which will assist in extending the distribution reach to non-traditional outlets. Mohlala said each box of condoms lasts for less than seven-days but they are highly needed on weekends.