Along with the community, Namibia's private sector plays a new and important role in fighting AIDS. In the Namib Desert, in the southernmost part of the country, lies Oranjemund. This small town isolated from any other populated area was built around NAMDEP, a diamond mine co-owned by the government and DeBeers, the famous South African company that manages most of the world's diamond production.

NAMDEP has joined the growing list of employers around the world who have understood that ensuring the protection of employees' health can only help the sustained growth of business. This is particularly true for mine workers who work far from home for long periods of time and who can be more exposed to AIDS through risky behavior.

The diamond mine's HIV/AIDS workplace prevention and care programs mark a national first in collaboration between private business and the state on healthcare for staff. NAMDEP's employees have access to the full range of counselling, testing and treatment in the work place. A prevention program encourages individuals to be more open with each other about the disease, to know their HIV status and to act responsibly. Learn more.

Namibian business also plays a vital role in contributing to the country's fight against HIV/AIDS by providing top-quality condoms to government for use in their national health strategy. "Smile" condoms are prepared, rigorously tested following the highest international standards and packaged on machinery funded by the Global Fund. They are the only textured condoms produced in the region and come in packs of three rather than the standard boxes of 100 or more. Demand has increased to such an extent the factory has bought additional equipment to increase production. Learn more.