24 March 2025 | Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Ugu District
The Province of KwaZulu-Natal was honoured to host the National Commemoration of World TB Day 2025 at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday, 24 March 2025. The event was held under the theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”—a rallying call to strengthen collective action against Tuberculosis (TB).
The commemoration was attended by several high-level dignitaries including the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Honourable Paul Mashatile; the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi; the MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Honourable Nomagugu Simelane; and representatives from SANAC, the United Nations, local government, civil society, and the health sector.
Delivering the official welcome address, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Hon. Thamsanqa Ntuli expressed gratitude for the national focus on the province and reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating TB as a public health threat.
“This disease is curable. No person should suffer in silence or face stigma. Let us commit ourselves, our resources and energy, to end TB for good,” said Premier Ntuli.
The TB Situation in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is the second most populous province in South Africa, with over 11.5 million residents. The province continues to face a high TB burden, with 798 health facilities offering TB and HIV services.
While there has been progress—recording 51,528 TB cases in 2022, 32,016 in 2023, and 42,698 in 2024—certain districts continue to report high case numbers. These include:
• Gamalakhe Community Health Centre (Ray Nkonyeni) – 2,113 cases
• Umzinto Clinic (Umdoni) – 909 cases
• Mfundo Arnold Lushaba CHC (Umzumbe) – 788 cases
• St Andrews Hospital (Umuziwabantu) – 515 cases
The Premier emphasised that the fight against TB must be a shared responsibility involving communities, government, business, and civil society.
Strategic Focus Areas
Aligned with the National TB Strategic Plan, KwaZulu-Natal’s approach is centred on:
• Accelerated TB case finding, screening and testing
• Integrated service delivery for TB, HIV, and non-communicable diseases
• Community-based advocacy and awareness initiatives
• Robust communication and media campaigns
• Partnerships with traditional leaders, NGOs, faith-based organisations, and the private sector
• Increased financing for prevention, treatment, research and innovation
Additional interventions include tracing TB patients, testing HIV-positive pregnant women for TB, and promoting TB Preventative Therapy among vulnerable populations.
Call for United Action
Premier Ntuli concluded with a heartfelt appeal to all sectors of society to stand together in the fight against TB:
“This is not just the responsibility of the provincial government. It is a shared duty that requires the commitment of every citizen and every stakeholder. Together, we can end TB.”
The commemoration reinforced KwaZulu-Natal’s leadership and resolve in responding to TB, in partnership with national government and the global community.