Category: MIL-OSI

The HIV Stigma Index 2.0 report launched on Wednesday reveals that, despite progress since the 2014 study, significant efforts are still needed to reduce stigma, improve healthcare experiences, and support the mental well-being of people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Today, the PLHIV sector, led by the National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAPWA), unveiled the HIV Stigma Index 2.0 report. 

This comprehensive study measures and documents the stigma, discrimination, and rights violations faced by PLHIV in South Africa.

Conducted with the technical support of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), and international partners, the report highlights the persistent challenges encountered by PLHIV, particularly among key populations and young PLHIV. 

The National Chairperson of PLHIV and Project Director for the Stigma Index 2.0, Mluleki Zazini, believes the study marks a significant milestone in ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of PLHIV are at the forefront of research, advocacy, and policy development.

Zazini described the study as groundbreaking on a global scale, as it includes adolescents aged 15 to 17, acknowledging the country’s high HIV prevalence among young people and the urgent need to address stigma in this demographic.

The approximately 5 000 participants were primarily young adults, with almost 70% aged between 25 and 49.

Most participants were assigned female at birth, and a similar proportion identified as women, while smaller groups identified as men or as transgender.

The study also found that more than a quarter of participants fell into at least one key population group, including sex workers, people who use drugs, men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals.

Key findings

A new study has revealed mixed experiences among PLHIV in South Africa, highlighting both progress and persistent barriers linked to stigma and disclosure.

More than half of the participants disclosed their HIV status voluntarily, mostly to family, friends and partners.

However, disclosure in workplaces and schools remained very low. 

The study also found that a small portion also reported that their status had been shared without their consent, mainly by family members. 

While many experienced supportive reactions from those close to them, fewer reported positive experiences when disclosing to acquaintances.

The study found that experiences of external stigma have declined compared to previous years, though discriminatory remarks and verbal harassment still occur. 

Internalised stigma continues to affect participants’ confidence, relationships and sense of self-worth, with young people and key populations – such as sex workers and people who use drugs – most affected.

The study also found that the stigma in healthcare settings persists, with some participants reporting judgmental behaviour from healthcare workers. 

Fears of stigma contributed to delayed treatment initiation for almost a third of respondents, and some admitted to interrupting their treatment. 

Key populations and persons with disabilities faced multiple layers of discrimination, including exclusion from family activities and fear of seeking care.

Tuberculosis (TB)-related stigma remains another challenge, with many reporting being gossiped about after a TB diagnosis. 

Participation in HIV support groups was relatively low overall, though higher among transgender participants.

Zazini said that stigma and discrimination continue to undermine South Africa’s response to HIV, discouraging people from testing, seeking treatment or disclosing their status. 

“These barriers not only affect individual health outcomes but also contribute to the ongoing spread of HIV,” he warned.

Recommendation

The study outlines several recommendations to tackle the stigma and discrimination still faced by PLHIV in South Africa. 

Key proposals include strengthening community-based referral programmes that support voluntary testing, informed consent and safe disclosure, alongside expanding counselling and peer-support groups.

It also calls for stronger anti-stigma campaigns and gender-sensitive policies in communities and health facilities, backed by multisectoral collaboration across government, civil society and PLHIV networks. 

To reduce internalised stigma, the report urges the rollout of mental health and peer-led support initiatives.

In healthcare settings, the study recommends training health workers on patients’ rights and the need for non-discriminatory, gender-responsive care, as well as establishing confidential systems to report stigma and rights violations.

Targeted interventions for key populations – such as sex workers, people who use drugs and transgender individuals – are also emphasised.

Women-led PLHIV networks are encouraged to take the lead in educating women and adolescents on their rights and access to care. 

The study notes that these efforts are essential to improving health outcomes and building a society free of HIV-related stigma.

Click here on the link below to access the presentation and other documents. – SAnews.gov.za

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The National Treasury has successfully raised R11.795 billion under South Africa’s first Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond.

According to the National Treasury, the auction attracted strong market interest, with bids exceeding R26 billion and achieving a 2.2-times subscription rate.

The proceeds from the Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond will be used exclusively to finance projects under the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) programme.

The total issuance amount was split across 10 and 15-year maturities as follows: 
•    RI2036: R6.996 billion was issued at an interest rate of 8.575%.
•    RI2041: R4.799 billion was issued at an interest rate of 9.13%.

This issuance forms part of a suite of reforms, first outlined in the 2024 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, to boost investment in the infrastructure required to drive higher economic growth and improve service delivery. 

The bond will support projects under the Government’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI). 

READ | Government issues infrastructure bonds to boost investment

The BFI is a mechanism within the budget process that supports the execution of national priority infrastructure projects by using robust project screening methodology to assess eligibility for public funding. 

“During 2025, the government reconfigured the BFI to run four bid windows annually instead of just one. 
“The four bid windows enable public institutions, including national departments, provinces, municipalities and state-owned enterprises, to request funding for part of the cost of a project, as a basis to attract additional private funding,” National Treasury said on Tuesday.

This allows government to improve the quality and scale of the public infrastructure pipeline and embed private sector participation in infrastructure delivery.

The inaugural auction size was allocated in line with current market rates to optimise the cost of government borrowing. 

“As part of the funding strategy, the National Treasury plans to tap these bonds in future auctions to finance further BFI-aligned infrastructure projects. These reforms include the development of long-term financing instruments to crowd in investment for priority public infrastructure,” National Treasury said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Ministers responsible for water from the four Orange–Senqu River Basin states have reiterated their shared commitment to safeguarding the river basin as a strategic resource underpinning regional water security, climate resilience, economic development, and ecological sustainability.

The Ministers from the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Namibia, and the Republic of South Africa recently met in Gaborone, Botswana, for the 8th Ordinary Meeting of the Orange–Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) Forum of the Parties.

According to a communiqué, the meeting reviewed progress on the cooperative management, development, and protection of the basin’s shared water resources and set strategic priorities to guide ORASECOM’s ongoing programmes.

The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperative governance of the basin and welcomed significant progress achieved since the 2023 Forum held in the City of Tshwane, South Africa.
Among the key achievements noted are:

•    Advancement of the Revised ORASECOM Agreement: Ministers noted progress towards the ratification of the revised 2018 Agreement, which aims to modernise and strengthen the Commission’s legal and institutional framework to better respond to contemporary water challenges.
•    Prioritising sanitation and water quality: The Ministers acknowledged the integration of sanitation into the next Integrated Water Resources Management and Investment Plan (2026–2035). This will ensure coordinated action on pollution, water quality monitoring, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, and cross-sectoral coordination. 
•    Improving flow conditions in the Lower Orange–Senqu: The Ministers noted progress toward the Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift Dam Bridging Feasibility Study. With ORASECOM designated as the Project Executing Agency, procurement of the technical consultant is now underway.

Progress made
The Forum commended the Commission for delivering significant basin-wide initiatives, including:
Lesotho–Botswana Water Transfer Project (L-BWTP)
This flagship, multi-country water security project has completed both its pre-feasibility phase and the Dam Technical Feasibility Study. Outstanding work, including the technical study of the Water Conveyance System (WCS), Environmental and Social Assessments for both dam and conveyance infrastructure, and financial, legal, and institutional assessments, is expected to conclude by mid-2027.

Successful hosting of the 2025 Investment Conference
Held in Maseru in May 2025, the conference mobilised high-level political commitment and enhanced engagement with development partners, financiers, and private-sector actors focused on climate-resilient water investments.

Completion of the UNDP-GEF SAP Implementation Project
Field projects in all four countries delivered tangible community and ecosystem benefits—groundwater desalination in Botswana, improved water-quality monitoring in Lesotho, and the development of an estuarine management plan in South Africa.

Initiation of the ORASECOM Water Fund
The Ministers welcomed the progress toward establishing a dedicated long-term financing mechanism to support basin restoration, water security, and climate resilience. A Project Identification Form has been submitted to the Global Environment Facility to support further development.

Advancing gender leadership in water diplomacy
The Forum commended ongoing efforts to strengthen the Women in Water Diplomacy Network in the basin, acknowledging recent appointments of basin representatives to the Network’s Global Council.

The Ministers also reviewed the Commission’s financial status and expressed appreciation for continued support from international partners, including the African Development Bank and the Government of Germany. They encouraged sustained resource mobilisation and broader partnerships to secure long-term programme delivery.

Cooperation
The forum further welcomed steady progress within existing cooperation frameworks, including the Permanent Water Commission (Namibia–South Africa), the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission, and the Botswana–South Africa Joint Permanent Technical Commission, highlighting the value of technical collaboration and shared management across the river basin.

The 9th Ordinary Meeting of the Forum of the Parties will be held in 2026 by the Kingdom of Lesotho. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille on Monday welcomed the launch of Qantas Airways’ new direct flight between Johannesburg and Perth adding that it will boost tourism and trade.

De Lille said the move will also people-to-people relations between South Africa and Australia.

The launch took place in Johannesburg and was attended by the Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, Australian High Commissioner, Tegan Brink and senior executives from Qantas, South African Tourism, the Gauteng Tourism Authority and the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

De Lille said the new direct route represents more than just an addition to South Africa’s air network. 

“This is not just a new connection on a route map; it is a bridge between two nations, two peoples, and two tourism markets with enormous potential. It unlocks deeper collaboration, increased two-way travel, and stronger people-to-people ties,” she said.

The launch follows shortly after South Africa’s successful hosting of the G20 Summit in November, a milestone which showcased the country’s capability as a world-class Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination. 

“The world recently saw a confident, warm, and capable South Africa, able to host global leaders with distinction. This momentum is carried forward through initiatives like expanded air connectivity.

She further emphasised that increased air connectivity remains a central pillar of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan 2025-2029, particularly under its ease-of-access focus area, which addresses air routes, visa systems, and the removal of travel barriers.
The latest aviation data reflects strong recovery and expansion:
• International seat capacity now stands at 8.5 million, a 9.1% increase over 2024.
• 4.6 million seats are allocated to long-haul routes and 3.9 million to short-haul routes.
• Double-digit seat growth has been recorded since June 2025.

“This is airlift expansion at scale, backed by policy, planning and strong partnerships,” the Minister said.
Strengthening connectivity 
The Johannesburg–Perth service significantly strengthens South Africa’s connectivity with the Oceania region and is expected to play a critical role in growing inbound business events and leisure tourism.

It also provides improved access ahead of major industry events such as Meetings Africa 2026 and Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026.
The route will also benefit South Africans travelling to Australia for business, education and family purposes, reinforcing two-way mobility and economic participation. 

Tourism performance from Australia continues to show strong growth:
• Arrivals from Australia in 2025 are nearly 30% higher than in 2024.
• Arrivals are now 10% above pre-COVID levels, signalling not only recovery but sustained expansion.

The new direct flight is also expected to play a strategic role as South Africa prepares to host major international sporting events, including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027, further strengthening sporting and cultural ties between the two nations.

“Sport has always been a powerful bridge between South Africa and Australia. This service strengthens that bond even further,” the Minister said.

Minister De Lille further highlighted that South African Tourism will work closely with Qantas and industry partners to stimulate demand and ensure the long-term success of the route, while also positioning South Africa as an accessible gateway for travellers from across the wider Oceania region, including New Zealand.

“South Africa is rising. Tourism is thriving. And the world is taking notice. This new route brings new opportunities, new partnerships, and new travellers. South Africa awaits, and we cannot wait to welcome visitors who will arrive because of this flight,” the Minister concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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