WELCOMING ADDRESS BY THE PREMIER OF MPUMALANGA, MR MANDLA NDLOVU, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL NATIONAL LAUNCH OF THE LENACAPAVIR ROLLOUT AT LILLIAN NGOYI STADIUM, SECUNDA, ON 05 JUNE 2026, AT 9 AM
Programme Directors,
Honourable Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Phaahla, and Mpumalanga Co-chairperson of MPAC, Ms Nkosi
His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa,
Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Motsoaledi,
MEC for Health in Mpumalanga, Ms Manzini, and all members of the Executive Council
Acting Director-General of the National Department of Health, Prof Crisp,
Mpumalanga Director General, Ms Skosana,
HODs and Senior Managers,
District Mayor of Gert Sibande, Councillor Mngomezulu and all mayors and councillors present.
Esteemed Traditional Leaders led by the Chairperson of the Mpumalanga House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, who is also the President of CONTRALESA, Kgoši Mokoena
President of COSATU, Ms Losi,
Representative of the SANAC Private Sector Forum, Ms Zikalala,
Chairperson of the SANAC Civil Society Forum, Mr Nduku,
Representatives from our global and development partners:
CEO of Gilead Sciences Mr O’Day, and Executive Director of Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Mr Kemplay,
Executive Director of the Global Fund, Mr Sands,
UNAIDS Regional Director Ms Githuku-Shongwe,
Executive Director of Unitaid Dr Duneton,
Country Director of the World Health Organisation, Ms El-Halabi,
Distinguished guests, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders from business, labour and civil society,
Our frontline healthcare workers, community leaders, and most importantly, the resilient people of Mpumalanga,
Sanibonani, good morning.
It is with deep humility, that I welcome you all to Mpumalanga, the place of the rising sun, as today is not just another launch, it is a celebration and a revolution.
It is a moment in history, where science meets hope, where policy meets people, and where South Africa once again rises to say: We will fight against HIV, We will not give up, and We shall never surrender.
This national launch of Lenacapavir represents a turning point, not only for people living with HIV but a breakthrough for all South Africans. We must all agree that from today we will start taking Lenacapavir, to zerorise new infections while protecting ourselves and the ones we love.
To us here in Mpumalanga, a province with the highest HIV prevalence, sitting at 17,4%, this innovation not only brings us hope, but also brings us closer to our vision as a nation, An HIV-free generation.
Lo mjovo uwuthatha kay 2 kuphela ngo nyaka, emva kwezi nyanga eziyi 6, usinikeza ama option amaningi woku vikeleka. Futhi I Research isibonisa ukuthi lo mjovo usebenza cishe ngamaphesenti ayi-96% kuya ku-100% ukuvikela iHIV.
Lo mjovo ubonakalisa ukuthi Hulumende wethu la e South Africa uyasebenza ukuzama ukwehlisa noma ukuphelisa ukwe suleleka yi ngculazi.
Kudala sihlupheka, manje I solution sinayo noma singeka fiki la siya khona.
If Lenacapavir is to reach its full potential, we must act decisively.
Our intervention in Mpumalanga is clear:
We must intensify awareness campaigns, to educate our people about Lenacapavir.
We call upon everyone, the media and the private sector, our communities, churches, schools and traditional Authorities to help us preach the gospel of Lenacapavir.
We will strengthen mobile clinics and community outreach programmes.
We will expand the role of community health workers as ambassadors of prevention.
We will ensure integration of services at clinics, siqashe oo dokotela sabafaka kuma clinics ase makhaya so that no one travels far for one service when many can be delivered closer to home.
Thina la eMpumalanga, si bilivela ukuthi ukuthola noku nakekelwa kwezempilo, kumele kube yilungelo elitholakala kalula.
Programme Directors, our readiness as a province is not accidental.
Through the oversight of the Mpumalanga Provincial AIDS Council (MPAC), we have ensured coordinated action across government, civil society, and the private sector.
MPAC remains a critical structure; it drives accountability, monitors implementation, and ensures that our response to HIV is not fragmented, but united and strategic.
Our hospitals and clinics have been strengthened. We have invested in:
Training healthcare professionals on new treatment protocols,
Upgrading health facilities to meet ideal health standards.
Ensuring pharmaceutical readiness and supply chain stability,
Enhancing digital systems for patient monitoring and follow-up.
Sizimisele ukufika ku 95% kodwa ngekhe siyifikelele le target sodwa singu government, yingako sicela nina niyo test bese nithatha I treatment ninga yiyekeli.
Mina angikholwa ukuthi ningahluleka ukujova kayi 2 kuphela in a year?
We are not just launching Lenacapavir; we are ready for it.
Ngize nganizwa nicula nithi, on your marks, get set, we are ready for Ramaphosa, ufikile ke u President usilethela umjovo, I Lenacapavir, manje sicula sithi are we ready for Lenacapavir. Hayi! mina I’m ready.
Once again let me welcome all our distinguished guests, partners, and communities.
Your presence here today is not just appreciated, it is powerful.
It sends a message that we stand together: government, civil society, business, and the global community, united in purpose.
On your marks, get set, we are ready for Ramaphosa, our commander in chief of the army, we are ready for Lenacapavir.
I thank you.