Fancourt owner sets up R48m AIDS programme

German software billionaire Hasso Plattner has given almost R48 million to establish a programme to fight AIDS in the southern Cape. The programme, Isombululo, designed by the Universities of Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal, was announced in George by Plattner, owner of the Fancourt Hotel and Country Club, on the eve of the President's Cup (golf tournament).

Isombululo, designed by the Universities of Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal, was announced in George by Plattner, owner of the Fancourt Hotel and Country Club, on the eve of the President's Cup (golf tournament).

Plattner is also a member of President Thabo Mbeki's International Task Force on Information Society and Development. "The AIDS tragedy is one that urgently needs to be addressed by all responsible corporate citizens," he said, in announcing the Isombululo programme yesterday. "It poses a challenge for everyone who is committed not only to the people of Africa, but to mankind. Isombululo will demonstrate that a focused effort by public and private interests can bring about solutions that will benefit the community as a whole."

Isombululo is to focus on AIDS research, health promotion and education in the southern Cape and tackle the health problems associated with AIDS, including opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis. The programme is the first in which two South AFrica universities are joining forces in fighting AIDS.

UCT Professor Wieland Gevers, of the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, said that he had worked closely with Plattner in designing Isombululo. He had little doubt that the software pioneer "sets a quality tone (through his business conduct) that will deliver results".

Plattner, founder of Sap Systems, the world's largest Internet enterprise software company, has invested a substantial sum of money in the southern Cape, chiefly at the magnificent Fancourt Hotel and Country Club. The developments include The Links at Fancourt, the golf course where the President's Cup, a team competition, is being played.

What makes the President's Cup unique is that none of the 24 players is to earn money for taking part. Instead, each is to choose a charity to receive a percentage of the money raised in the tournament. Tim Finchem, tour commissioner of the PGA of America, and considered one of the most influential people in golf, said: "The PGA tour has generated more than $500 million worldwide for charities, and we hope that the global exposure of the President's Cup will help raise awareness of the urgent need to address AIDS in South Africa."

All the players would be encouraged to choose charities based in South Africa, Finchem said. It is expected that the players will announce their choice of charity within 90 days.