Deputy President Mashatile to Open 12th SA AIDS Conference

Gauteng: Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will on Monday afternoon, 8 September 2025, open the 12th SA AIDS Conference at Emperor's Palace, in Gauteng. According to South African Government News Agency, the conference is hosted under the theme 'Unite for Change - Empower Communities and Redefine Priorities for HIV/AIDS'. It aims to bring together leaders, researchers, implementing partners, academics, and advocates from South Africa, the continent, and other countries to address the evolving landscape of combating HIV and its management. The conference's Chair, Candice Chetty-Makkan, and Co-Chair, Dr Kate Rees, emphasized that the country is at a critical juncture in global health, marking this year as unusually challenging. They highlighted the importance of participation in the conference to ensure that communities remain central, priorities are redefined with vision, and progress is sustained. Chetty-Makkan and Rees expr essed optimism that the conference will provide participants the opportunity to shape strategies that will strengthen the South African and global response to HIV/AIDS and drive meaningful change. The Deputy President will lead the opening plenary alongside SANAC Civil Society Forum Chairperson Solly Nduku, SANAC Private Sector Forum Chairperson Mpumi Zikalala, Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. The conference will also feature delegates from development partners, including United Nations agencies and the United States government.