Deputy President appoints SANAC board member and welcomes the appointment of the new SANAC Chief Executive Officer

Deputy President and Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC), Mr David Mabuza has welcomed the appointment by the Board of Trustees of Dr Thembisile Xulu as the Chief Executive Officer of SANAC.

The appointment of Dr Xulu follows the resignation of Dr Sandile Buthelezi, who left SANAC to serve as the Director-General of the National Department of Health. Dr Xulu is a medical doctor and has direct and extensive experience in HIV and TB health matters, including 15 years spent at Right to Care (RTC) as Manager of the HIV Expert Treatment Programme and Executive Director of the group, among others.

Deputy President Mabuza has subsequently appointed Dr Namane Magau to fill the vacancy in the SANAC Board of Trustees. Dr Magau has served in various executive and management roles both in the public and private sectors. These executive roles were in the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research as well as the South African Broadcasting Corporation and University Council of the former University of Durban-Westville. 

SANAC was established by Cabinet to build consensus across government, civil society and business to drive an enhanced country response to HIV, TB and STIs. The Council is supported by a Board of Trustees to deepen coordination, improve monitoring and evaluation and supporting government departments and civil society with implementation of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs.

“The work that lies ahead of us as SANAC is immense. We are faced with the triple pandemics of HIV, TB and Coronavirus, which require of us to ensure that the strides we have made thus far are not reversed. We are confident that both these women bring requisite expertise and an attitude of dedicated service to the roles. We have no doubt that their experiences will contribute immensely to the work of SANAC”, said Deputy President Mabuza.

Both appointments will further strengthen the national response to TB, HIV and Aids.

Enquiries: Matshepo Seedat on 082 679 9473 or Matshepo@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria