Windhoek, Namibia - 8 April 2010 - Telecom Namibia, the country’s incumbent telecommunications service provider, in partnership with Dimension Data, the $4 billion global IT solutions and services provider, today announced the introduction of the unique e-Thena HIV Aids Programme from the latter’s partner, Self Empowerment International (SEI).

This software package provides essential HIV Aids and Anti Retroviral education. It is targeted at the employees of corporations, government departments and organisations associated with the fight against HIV and Aids. The package is designed in a way that empowers adults, learners and peer educators and assists them in learning key messages that will help curb the spread of HIV/Aids.

The e-Thena Programme, computer based software training, is aimed at improving and positively changing the lives of people through exposure to essential life skills and education. This has become more relevant with the devastating effect that HIV/Aids has on every aspect of life in Namibia and Africa as a whole.

The e-Thena Programme is unique and aimed at teaching about HIV Aids and Anti Retroviral – Compliance, Awareness and Home Base Care through comprehensive training. The content is presented in such a way that it appeals both intellectually and emotionally. The animation is supported by clearly illustrated pictures and photographs making it a strong, audio visually driven experience. The programme is multi-media interactive, multiple choice and user friendly, so that a person with little or no computer skills can use it. The programme can be used over and over again, by the user, in order to ensure that employees and eventually their extended community become familiar with the subject matter at their own pace.

This software is another example of how technology plays a vital role in healthcare and in improving lives. In Namibia organisations like Telecom Namibia have started rolling out the software for their employees. The e-Thena Programme is already in use with corporate companies such as IBM, Government departments in South Africa, The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the United Nations in Botswana. The Programme was recently chosen by the World Bank as their presentation content for their HIV/AIDS summit on Africa.

General Manager for Human Resources and Strategic Training of Telecom Namibia, Andrew Kanime says: “HIV/AIDS management remains a critical component of Telecom Namibia’s holistic approach to Human Resources Management and employee wellness. It is our conviction that prevention is the main weapon against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.”

Kanime further points: “ Telecom Namibia’s primary strategy has thus been to rollout preventative educational programmes that would enable the company to proactively protect its workforce from contracting the deadly disease and to help those who are already infected to continue living a healthy, positive lifestyle for as long as possible. The introduction of this e-based educational programme will therefore go a long way in reinforcing Telecom Namibia’s HIV/AIDS’ Workplace programme and its fight against the epidemic.”

Managing Director of Dimension Data Namibia, Jacques De Witt says: “HIV/Aids affects everyone in Africa, we at Dimension Data believe that by using IT solutions we can support businesses and the community by providing quality information. This e-learning tool will certainly contribute to the much needed education of individuals and improving and changing, in a positive way, the lives of people through exposure to essential learning.”

He goes on to say: “It is our belief that knowledge is the first line of defense against HIV transmission and I am truly excited about the usefulness of this software. Our vision in business is to enable people to do great things, and we’re proud it also applies to every individual within Dimension Data.”