Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in providing employment and economic growth opportunities in South Africa where unemployment and poverty have a significant impact on the welfare of the population. The incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa is a potential danger to the South African community at large - and to the growth and development of SMEs. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa in particular has been severely affected by HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that by the year 2010 six million people in South Africa will have died due to AIDS-related illnesses (Medical Research Council 2001). Although HIV/AIDS incidence rates are approaching 30 per cent in South Africa the full impact of this is yet to be seen in most of the country as the disease is just entering its maturity phase. Very little is known about how HIV/AIDS impacts small and medium enterprise in comparison to how larger businesses are being affected. This longitudinal study carried out by Ebony Consulting International (ECI) focused on measuring the impact of AIDS on SMEs as well as gaining a better understanding of what workplace interventions are being carried out by SMEs and the challenges they encounter. (excerpt)