Deputy President David Mabuza to lead World TB Day commemoration in the Northern Cape Province

Deputy President David Mabuza in his capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will lead the official  commemoration of World TB Day on 24 March 2022 in Barkley West, near Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
 
World TB Day is commemorated each year on March 24 to create awareness about the health, social and economic impact of TB locally and  around the globe. South Africa is among the nations hardest hit by TB and the infection has remained the leading cause of death in our country  for several years.

This year’s theme for World TB Day is ‘Invest in Action to End TB NOW! Get Screened. End Stigma. Save Lives.’ This is a clarion call to every South African to invest in various actions to contribute towards the national effort to end TB.
 
The theme is aligned to the Global Theme, Invest to End TB. Save Lives, a call to world leaders to ensure that sufficient resources are made available for the TB response.

The theme also introduces an element of urgency through the word “now” to demonstrate the need to prioritise TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.

The World TB day event will be preceded by a Policy in Action engagement with Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Inter-Faith Leaders and traditional health practitioners on their active participation in an integrated HIV, TB, STIs TB and Covid-19 response.
 
Deputy President Mabuza will be accompanied by the Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla; Premier of Northern Cape, Dr. Zamani Saul, SANAC Civil Society Chairperson, Ms. Steve Letsike; the Chairperson of the SANAC Private Sector Forum, Ms. Mpumi Zikalala as well as representatives from development partners inclusive of United Nations Agencies, United States Embassy, PEPFAR and Centers for Disease Control partners, research entities, civil society movements and the private sector will also be in attendance.
 
Members of the media are invited to cover the 2 day commemorative event as follows:
 
Wednesday 23 March 2022
 
Visit to Ekapa Kimberley Mine
 
Time: 09:00
Venue: Ekapa Kimberley Mine
 
Engagement with Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders
 
Time: 11h00
Venue: Hoërskool Vaalrevier, Barkley West, Francis Baard District, Northern Cape.
 
Engagement with inter-faith leaders
Time: 14:30
Venue: Emmanuel Eben Haeser Lodge, 20 De Beersdam Road, Barkley West
 
Thursday 24 March 2022
 
Commemoration of World TB Day

Time: 09:30
Venue: Hoër Skool, Vaal Rivier, 7 North Street, Barkley West,
Frances Baard District Municipality,
Northern Cape
 

Media enquiries: Matshepo Seedat on 082 679 9473 / Foster Mohale on 072 432 3792 /
Nelson Dlamini: +27 78 731 0313

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria