Secunda: In a decisive move to ramp up the prevention of HIV, President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially launched the game-changing HIV prevention medication Lenacapavir in a ceremony on Friday. The drug is administered via injection twice a year and offers a welcome relief from daily pills or the bi-monthly injections. At the launch held at the Lillian Ngoyi Stadium in Secunda, Mpumalanga, President Ramaphosa said the day marks a 'turning point in our nation's fight against HIV'.

According to South African Government News Agency, 2025 Statistics South Africa records indicate that an estimated 8.15 million people in South Africa are living with HIV, with millions on treatment. President Ramaphosa highlighted the heavy burden that the country has faced due to HIV, stating, "Few countries have carried the burden of HIV as heavily as South Africa. We have buried too many mothers and fathers. Too many sons and daughters. Too many teachers, workers, healthcare professionals and community leaders. The HIV epidemic has left scars on our society that can never be fully erased."

With Lenacapavir now a part of South Africa's treatment arsenal, there is optimism for a future where the nation may be freed from the burden of HIV. The President emphasized that Lenacapavir represents hope for young women, families, and communities, offering a chance for future generations to know HIV not as a threat but as a chapter in history. "Lenacapavir gives us an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen HIV prevention. A single injection administered twice a year can provide powerful protection against HIV infection. This is not merely a medical advance. It is a practical intervention that can transform lives."

The President also announced that 360 public health facilities across six provinces and 24 high-burden districts are ready to deliver this transformative intervention, with a target of reaching 1 million people by the end of 2027. He set an ambitious goal of reaching 3 million people over the next three years, underscoring that every HIV infection prevented is a life protected, a family preserved, and a future secured.

However, President Ramaphosa cautioned that Lenacapavir is 'not a silver bullet' and that its success will depend on education, user responsibility, and the elimination of stigma and discrimination. He reiterated that South Africa stands on the precipice of a new chapter in the history of the country's HIV response, marked by science, partnership, dignity, choice, and hope.

The President concluded by urging sustained efforts in the fight against HIV, expressing the hope that future generations will recognize this period as the moment when humanity gained the upper hand against HIV. "Let us sustain the effort until this battle is won. Together, we can protect a generation. Together, we can end new HIV infections. Together, we can end AIDS as a public health threat. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger, and more hopeful South Africa."