For an overview of the history of Sanlam’s involvement in HIV/Aids education and training, browse through the section below.

1986 to 2000

• Employee Benefits clients were encouraged to implement their own official Aids policies and to provide education on HIV/Aids.

• We printed and distributed a booklet about the causes, symptoms and treatment of HIV/Aids to Sanlam employees.

• We developed an HIV/Aids workshop, and all employees were required to attend.

• A Sanlam HIV/Aids policy was developed – we envisaged that each department would have an HIV/Aids peer counsellor.

• Sanlam donated money to various organisations and projects in support of HIV/Aids research and education, which included:

• the publication of a textbook (on HIV-positive mothers) for midwives;

• an HIV/Aids primary health care initiative in the Eastern Cape;

• the publication of Aids Scan, a journal circulated to medical doctors and other relevant key people, as well as the Aids Scan website, which offered HIV/Aids statistics;

• an HIV/Aids campaign at the Sanlam Future Leaders Business Week in Grahamstown from 1999 to 2001; and

• rural HIV/Aids education road shows, which reached more than 1 million school children.

• Appointment of a Sanlam HIV/Aids Consultant.

2001 to 2002

• The Sanlam Executive Committee commissioned an internal multi-disciplinary task team (consisting of medical doctors, psychologists, lawyers, actuaries and marketing specialists) to develop a Sanlam HIV/Aids strategy. This strategy supports our vision, values and business objectives and focuses on the prevention and treatment of HIV and Aids.

• On 21 June 2001, we officially launched our HIV/Aids programme.

• In November 2001 we launched a unique new risk policy, the One Endowment Policy for Special Risks. This policy offers life cover to people who don't qualify for cover on a standard, ordinary policy.

• At the Sanlam Annual General Meeting, held on 5 June 2002, Mr Ton Vosloo, the Chairman, made significant reference to Sanlam’s HIV/Aids-related initiatives and involvement, both internal and external.

• Sanlam was one of five SA companies that received international recognition from the Jimmy Carter and Bill Gates foundations for making a significant contribution in the fight against HIV/Aids.

• During May 2002, a total of 17 Sanlam employees from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg attended an HIV/Aids peer counsellor training programme.

• A total of 10 employees successfully completed a training programme to become internal peer educators.

• As part of the internal communication and awareness training campaign, the Group HR office introduced a 'targeted communication' project for senior, middle and junior management and clerical staff.

• Sanlam sponsored a home-based care policy and procedure manual. This will assist NGOs and CBOs with the effective management of home-based care programmes.

• Sanlam entered into a partnership with Santos football club, to provide HIV/Aids education at schools.

• Condom canisters were installed in more than 28 Sanlam offices countrywide.

2003 to 2004

• Sanlam Aids Peer Educators are involved in facilitating workshops for all Sanlam employees and advisers.

• Ilitha Counselling project – Sanlam Aids Peer Counsellors provide support and counselling to employees infected with, or affected by HIV/Aids.

• Sanlam sponsors a COSATU Aids Peer educator who provides HIV/Aids training to all COSATU-affiliated companies in the Western Cape.

• Sanlam enters into partnership with Love Life SA. Sanlam provides Love Life groundbreakers with financial planning skills training.

• In December 2003, the Sanlam Heritage Foundation gives Sanlam a recognition award for the contribution we’ve made in countering the effects of HIV/Aids in the workplace and community.

• Sanlam is invited to an HIV/Aids conference in the Netherlands, to present a paper on our HIV/Aids initiatives.

• We invite an HIV/Aids corporate industrial theatre group to provide an educational show for Sanlam employees at Head Office, aimed at promoting life and hope for employees, irrespective of their HIV status.

• During the Sanlam Health Week, the Sanlam Aids peer educators and members of the Aids task team man an HIV/Aids information stall and are available to answer employees’ questions relating to HIV/Aids in general and the company's response to the epidemic.

• We conduct the annual review of the Sanlam HIV/Aids policy to ensure that the policy is up to date and complies with the South African legislative requirements.

• Sanlam's HIV/Aids strategy is re-evaluated with input from the Aids task team – a revamped 3-year HIV/Aids strategy is formulated.

• Sanlam devels a comprehensive HIV/Aids booklet for COSATU, to be distributed among the members of the federation by a Sanlam-sponsored Aids peer educator.

2005

• An HIV/Aids support group is started at Head Office, with the aim of providing emotional support to those infected and affected by the virus. The support group is open to those affected by the virus, those infected and those who are passionate about the topic and want to offer support.

• We develop a Resource Centre on our intranet – it provides information on HIV/Aids, and allows employees to borrow books and videos on-line and ask questions on HIV/Aids.

• We organise awareness campaigns to coincide with Sanlam Health Week and World Aids Day. The initiatives are structured around providing information (presentations by HIV+ people and experts in the field, fact sheets and videos, etc.) and gathering information (e.g. we’ve introduced processes to gather information from employees regarding their knowledge of and attitude towards HIV/Aids).

• The year culminates in a grand World Aids Day commemoration, with a performance by Pieter-Dirk Uys at Sanlam Head Office. His message around HIV prevention and breaking the ‘fear’ and stereotypes around the virus is extremely well received by Sanlam employees.

• Sanlam also hosts the Kuyasa Kids from Kayamandi. After their performance for employees they’re treated to a carnival-themed lunch and entertained by clowns and magicians.

• As one of the initiatives for World Aids Day, a sticker campaign is launched. The idea behind this campaign is to provide Sanlam employees with the opportunity to help those less fortunate – an amount of R10 000 is donated to Tygerberg Hospital’s KIDCRU department. Stickers are sold at R5 each – by buying a sticker Sanlam employees earn the right to commemorate World Aids Day by wearing red, and enter their department into a competition to crown the best-dressed department.

• We encourage employees to enter poems relating to HIV/Aids for a Poetry competition. A panel selects the winning poems.

2006

• One of the objectives of Sanlam’s HIV/AIDS policy is to empower our employees to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids, by training and educating them. Sanlam therefore launches a nationwide voluntary counseling and testing campaign from 20 November – 1 December, thereby giving all our employees the opportunity to know their HIV status. Testing sites are set up in 32 Sanlam offices and 24 African Life offices across the country. The response from employees is extraordinary. Highly qualified personnel from the Care ways Group run the testing stations. Pre- and post-testing counseling is provided, with complete confidentiality guaranteed for each test.

• A sticker campaign, similar to the one in 2005 is implemented. An amount of R23 000 is raised – this is donated to the organization Home from Home.