Mayville, KwaZulu-Natal, 21 May 2025 - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli addressed members of the Provincial Council on AIDS (PCA) during a sitting in Mayville, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing the province in the fight against HIV, TB, and STIs. The meeting took place against the backdrop of critical geopolitical and financial developments affecting South Africa’s public health agenda.
Premier Ntuli opened his remarks by acknowledging the recent cancellation of the USAID PEPFAR funding by the United States administration, a decision that cut R1.5 billion in support to South Africa’s health, education, and social development sectors. He noted that more than 5,000 people employed through the programme have been directly affected, with many losing their jobs.
“This sudden withdrawal has disrupted the lives of thousands and set back our long-term plans. While we respect the sovereignty of nations, we hope President Ramaphosa’s current visit to the United States will reopen negotiations and possibly reinstate the funding,” said Premier Ntuli.
The Premier also referenced the national budget tabled by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana on the same day, expressing hope that the new fiscal framework would bring clarity and stability to government programming in the months ahead.
Acknowledging the broader economic constraints, Premier Ntuli called on all stakeholders to align their efforts with the resources currently available and to make every effort count under tighter budgets. “We have entered an era where we must tailor our interventions to fit the size of our cloth. Yet, despite financial limitations, we must continue to fight on.”
Premier Ntuli commended the work of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), which he described as a model of multi-sectoral coordination. He highlighted SANAC’s success in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission and increasing life expectancy in South Africa, while also noting the importance of reaching vulnerable populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs.
He stressed the need for unity in achieving the current National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023–2028 goals, especially the 95-95-95 targets: ensuring 95% of people know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Premier Ntuli also called for urgent resolution regarding internal structural alignment within the provincial AIDS council and its relationship with SANAC’s national framework.
“To serve the people of this province effectively, we must resolve any internal impasses. Transparency must guide our governance,” he said.
In closing, the Premier acknowledged the impact made by the PCA in mobilising communities and delivering services, but urged continued commitment. “While KwaZulu-Natal remains the province with the highest HIV burden, we are fighting back—together. And this is a fight we must win.”