Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF LITERATURE and PHILOSOPHY In the subject of Communication Science at the University of Zululand, 2007. / This dissertation presents the results of an analysis of corporate social investment and HIV/Aids programmes in South African corporations. The study measures the growing debate over the responsibilities of business and the examination of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programmes and communication strategies used in HIV/Aids awareness programmes by the top 100 listed companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The first part of the study reviews theories and literature relevant to defining the understanding and the impact of HIV/Aids on businesses, the idea of corporate social investment/responsibility and the business response to AIDS. Subsequent chapters describe the construction of a survey instrument employed to measure and evaluate the extent of CSI and HIV/Aids in South African corporations and the findings of the survey. Penultimate chapters blend the insights gained from this literature review to interpret the results, obtained through the quantitative research methodology, to describe a set of conclusions and recommendations in the context of applying corporate social investment -and HIV/Aids to the South African business environment. / National Research Foundation (NRF)