KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Zweli Mkhize has applauded support by the private sector in the fight against HIV and Aids in rural areas.

He was speaking after a leading beer company donated R100000 to purchase equipment to be used in KwaZulu-Natal's rural clinics to test people's HIV status.

The company presented the cheque to Mkhize at a ceremony at Nsukazi near Ulundi in Zululand.

Mkhize said the move by the private sector to join the fight against HIV-Aids meant a lot to his government.

He said his government would form a partnership with the private sector to fight the scourge.

"This move is in line with our initiative of 'one garden one home' that is being rolled out in our communities. It is important for us to continue working together to deal with HIV-Aids."

Corporate social investment coordinator at the beer company, Nqobile Hadebe, said the equipment will be used at rural clinics throughout the province. She said the donation was made to coincide with Aids month.

"We should encourage everyone to undergo a test. It is important that everyone should know their status," she said.

The health department asked the beer company to support their HIV-Aids effort and the equipment would help in the testing campaign in rural communities.

The department had embarked on a campaign to fight HIV through responsible behaviour and by encouraging individuals to get tested and know their status.