Source: President of South Africa –
Programme Directors, Deputy Minister Steve Letsike and Provincial Civil Society Chairperson Ms. Amelia Mfiki;
Our host, Health MEC, Mireille Wenger representing the Western Cape
Premier;
Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi;
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities of South Africa, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga;
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla;
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture Ms. Peace Mabe;
Deputy Minister of Social Development Mr Ganief Hendricks;
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel;
Chairperson of the SANAC Civil Society Forum, Mr. Solly Nduku; Deputy Chairperson of the SANAC Private Sector Forum, Dr. Thuthula Balfour;
SANAC CEO Dr. Thembisile Xulu;
Deputy Mayor of Overberg District Cllr. Ald Helen Coetzee;
Deputy Mayor of Theewaterskloof Municipality Cllr. Cynthia Clayton;
SALGA President, Mr. Bheki Stofile;
Cosatu President, Ms. Zingiswa Losi;
The Civil Society TB Ambassador, Ms. Sarah Bakamela;
Mrs Humile Mashatile, South African Patron of the Global Alliance to End Aids in Children;
WHO Country Representative, Ms. Shenaaz El-Halabi;
STOP TB Partnership Executive Director, Dr. Lucica Ditiu;
Traditional Leaders present,
Members of the media;
Fellow South Africans;
Greetings to you all,
Firstly, thank you for joining us today as we reflect on South Africa’s ongoing fight against tuberculosis (TB). A disease that has stolen too many breaths from our people. It has silenced voices in our homes, emptied chairs at our tables, and left permanent scars in our communities.
Yet today, we gather not in despair, but in defiance because as a country we are proving that TB can be defeated.
Each life saved, each infection prevented, is a victory for dignity, and hope for the future.
I remember last year, during our commemoration in KwaZulu-Natal, a young man named Sibusiso approached me to share his challenging journey. He spoke about his journey of poverty, stigma, and the fear that others held towards him.
This encounter highlighted the struggles faced by individuals in similar situations and the impact of societal perceptions on their lives.
He further told me how he had battled drug-resistant TB and how the road was marked by pain, doubt, and isolation.
Yet he also spoke of the courage it took to keep going and the hope that sustained him when everything else seemed lost. With tearful eyes, he said he no longer has chest pain or excessive breathing difficulties, no more persistent cough, no more night sweats, and most importantly, he can freely play with his kids.
I am sharing his story because his recovery was a triumph. A victory for himself, his family, his community, and indeed, a victory for our nation. His journey reminds us that public health is a collective mission. When one life is reclaimed, the fabric of society is strengthened. His story also speaks directly to our adapted call, in line with the global community: “Yes! You and I can end TB.”
We have deliberately taken the “WE” from the global theme and transformed it to “You and I”, because true change begins with personal responsibility and shared purpose. It is a powerful declaration that reminds us that each one of us has a part in ending TB. We must use our voices to break stigma, to tell stories that humanise the struggle, and to ensure policies translate into real access to treatment.
On the other hand, a family should be the primary support for a person with Active TB Disease by providing encouragement, ensuring treatment adherence, and creating a conducive environment for recovery. This responsibility extends to our communities. Communitiesmust organise awareness campaigns, support clinics, and create spaces where TB survivors are celebrated, not shunned.
Most importantly, our institutions must guarantee access to diagnostics, medicines, and social support. But beyond that, we must invest in prevention, research, and the strengthening of health systems that leave no one behind.
There is urgent need for our collective action to act against TB, encourage individuals to take charge of their health. Our actions should complement the goals of our Cheka ImpiloProgramme and strengthens national efforts aimed at identifying and assisting the undiagnosed population, often known as the missing TB clients.
Compatriots,
As we reflect on our progress against TB response, let me start with the good news: year after year, we continue to see a steady decline in the number of people contracting TB. Compared to our 2015 baseline, this is a story we can proudly tell as a nation.
Our national TB programme has achieved remarkable success in reducing the TB incidence rate, which is, the number of new cases each year. In fact, by 2024, we have seen a 61% reduction in that incidence rate.
Treatment outcomes for drug-resistant TB patients have improved significantly. We are now seeing a 79% treatment success rate, and for the first time ever, lost-to-follow-up rates for Drug Resistant TB are in single digits. This breakthrough is a result of our accelerated efforts in scaling up the introduction of shorter, more effective regimens.
This progress is worth celebrating, as it not only saves lives but also restores hope. It exemplifies that through unity, strengthened partnerships, and innovation, we can effectively combat disease, reclaim futures, rebuild communities, and revitalize our national spirit.
However, at the same time, we must be honest about where we stand. While we have made strides, there is still room for improvement. The proportion of estimated TB cases successfully placed on treatment has dipped from 79% to 74% this past year. This is not a statistic to ignore; it is a call to action!
It tells us that we must double our efforts, close the gap, and ensure that every person who needs care receives it promptly. For progress is not measured only in victories achieved, but in the determination to reach those who remain waiting.
Our End TB campaign is showing strong momentum. This year, we’ve achieved 70% of our ambitious testing target, over 3.5 million tests have been conducted since the launch of the End TB Campaign we unveiled at last year’s World TB Day in KwaZulu-Natal.
This is the highest number ever recorded in a single year for our TB programme. It stands as a testament to the tireless dedication of our health workers, the resilience of our communities, and the steadfast support of our partners.
But we cannot stop there.
Progress is a journey rather than a destination. Every accomplishment should motivate us to keep going, put in more effort, and make sure that no one is left behind. For every victory achieved, there is another battle to be fought.
I say this because TB remains a major public health concern and is still the leading cause of death, particularly for People Living with HIV. Despite a slight decrease in overall TB deaths, we have only managed a 17% reductioncompared to 2015, far short of the 75% target we set for ourselves.
This gap reminds us that lives are still being lost unnecessarily, and we must do much more to turn the tide.
Another harsh reality: the 2021 TB Survey showed that 56% of people affected by TB in our country continue to face catastrophic socio-economic constraints that push families into poverty.
We cannot ignore this human and economic toll. We need to make our response more patient-centred meeting people where they are and removing all barriers against access to testing and treatment.
We must find TB, to end TB.
Early detection is the key to breaking the cycle of infection and protecting families and communities. When we diagnose and treat TB sooner, we save lives and prevent further spread.
We can draw valuable lessons from our COVID-19 response: rapid action, community engagement, and strong leadership. We must apply those same principles to TB.
I want to make a special call today to men: please get tested for TB. Our data shows clearly that many of the missing cases are among men. In the past 11 months, even though fewer men have been tested, their positivity rate is much higher. Testing more men will help us find those hidden cases and protect everyone.
I also urge anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has TB to visit their nearest health facility right away. Get tested. If you test positive, start treatment immediately and finish it as prescribed by a health practitioner. If you test negative, ask about TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) to protect yourself and stop the spread.
The promise of new vaccines offers a critical turning point in our fight to end TB. The leading candidate, the M72/AS01E vaccine, is in late-stage trials, with the majority of trial sites and a significant proportion of participants drawn from South Africa. This places our country at the centre of this scientific breakthrough.
With efficacy results expected in 2027, we have not waited idly. In June 2025, we convened a national stakeholder workshop to begin preparing for vaccine introduction and later that year leveraged the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting to advocate for sustainable financing and equitable access to TB vaccines.
Building on this momentum, we have now developed a country vaccine preparedness roadmap. We must be ready to implement at pace and at scale, because when an effective vaccine becomes available, delays will cost lives. South Africa must lead from the front in ensuring rapid, equitable access for all who need it.
Disease management requires accurate and accessible real-time data. This information informs programme design and enables targeted interventions. Last year, the Minister of Health launched the public-facing TB Dashboard to specifically track progress against the End TB Campaign. It provides near real-time data on TB testing, helping us identify “hotspots” where testing coverage may be lagging so that we can reallocate resources, such as mobile screening units.
The SANAC Situation Room, an inclusive and comprehensive data visualisation hub continues to expand by incorporating additional datasets and providing a unified, one-stop shop for what were previously stand-alone data sources. This enhances programme data availability and supports more sustainable programming. These tools improve transparency and strengthen data-driven decision-making.
South Africa has come far, but the journey is not over. Let us keep pushing forward with urgency, compassion, and unity. To truly end TB, we need a whole-of-society approach.Researchers must continue to develop new diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines.
Implementers must ensure these tools reach every clinic and community, so patients receive care that is timely, safe, and effective.
I am particularly pleased to announce that, following the new WHO guidance, South Africa is going to launch its pilot project for near-point-of-care diagnostic tests by July 2026. This essential step will move high-quality testing out of centralised labs and closer to the communities where our people live and work, supporting our drive towards universal health coverage.
As I have mentioned, civil society and communities carry a crucial responsibility in responding to TB and HIV by raising awareness, reducing stigma, advocating for policy change, and amplifying the voices of those affected. Our shared goal is to build a South Africa where testing is simple, treatment is accessible, and support is strong. In doing so, we multiply victories like that of Sibusiso, spreading hope and resilience across the nation.
Let us commit ourselves anew: to get tested, to seek treatment promptly, to complete treatment if infected, to support one another, and to build a healthier, TB-free South Africa.
TB is preventable.
TB is curable.
“Yes! You and I can end TB.”
I Thank You.
