As part of their wellness campaign and to commemorate World Aids Day, De Beers Venetia Mine joined government departments, companies and organisations active in fighting the scourge of HIV Aids by hosting a very successful campaign, which saw almost all of its workforce participating in different kinds of sporting codes like a fun run and cycling.

The formal function was held at the mine’s entrance and employees were addressed by the mine’s operations manager, Johnny Vel-loza, who also took part in cycling.

Velloza said they were commemorating the day with their employees to try to make sure people understood the importance of health and wellness. He said the dawn of a new political leadership in the country might spell a new dimension in the fight against the disease. He added that the mine tried to address the HIV/Aids stigma and its negative impact on its employees, but was worried that people were scared to know their status.

Velloza encouraged people to test and to know their status in order to get the neces-sary support.
At the same function, the South African Blood Services (SANBS) based in Polokwane said they are celebrating with the mine, encouraging mine workers to help by donating blood. “We are approaching the festive season and we will need more blood,” said a donor recruiter at SANBS, Lufuno Maswime.

Cllr Seleka Ratladi, representing the Blouberg municipality, said they were invited as partners as most of the mine’s workforce was drawn from the municipality. “We are calling on all to test for the disease voluntarily in order to know their status. Those who find they are infected should continue to use ARVs, which are available at the mine, and those not yet infected should follow the ABC (Abstain, Be faithful, and Condomise). We also encourage people to take part in sports, because sport reduces stress,” said Seleka Ratladi.