South Africa is marking World AIDS Day 2025 under the theme “Overcoming Disruption: Transforming the AIDS Response”, a call to protect hard-won progress amid global financial and health system challenges.
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza says the theme speaks directly to recent disruptions in donor funding, including the United States’ withdrawal from key HIV programmes earlier this year, a move that threatened to weaken South Africa’s response.
Xhakaza said national, provincial and municipal leaders were forced to step up significantly to avoid setbacks.
“There was a big gap left by the rescinding of funds, but government efforts continue strongly. There have also been more international donors coming forward to partner with our programmes,” he said.
He commended SA's progress in reducing infections and expanding access to treatment but urged communities not to become complacent.
“HIV/AIDS was once among the leading causes of death in our communities. Today, many no longer see it as a killer disease because of the great strides made in providing world-class treatment in all public health systems. But we must never relax. It is critical that each person knows their status and protects themselves and those they live with.”
At a separate World AIDS Day event in Sandton, the close-out celebration of the six-year PEPFAR-funded DREAMS programme, Shout-It-Now Chief Programmes Officer Cleo Sokhela highlighted major achievements that have supported young people, particularly adolescent girls and young women who remain most vulnerable.
The programme reached nearly one million youth with prevention tools, started 160,000 young people on PrEP, and provided support services to thousands experiencing violence.
However, Sokhela warned that progress is still at risk.
“We can’t take our progress for granted. Inequalities are still deep, especially for adolescent girls and young women, and funding cuts could undo critical gains if we don’t stay vigilant.”
She also noted that South Africa has more prevention options than ever before, from treatment that suppresses transmission to newer methods.
“We have highly effective treatment, a growing menu of prevention tools, condoms, oral PrEP, the dapivirine ring, injectables like cabotegravir and now the twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir on the horizon,” said Sokhela.
It is highlighted that SA continues to operate the world’s largest HIV treatment programme and is closing in on the global 95-95-95 targets, currently estimated at 95-79-93, a sign of major national strides but also persistent gaps in ensuring treatment among those diagnosed.
As World AIDS Day is commemorated, leaders say the message remains clear: do not lose momentum.
“We have come too far to allow disruption to reverse progress,” said Xhakaza.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star
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