Deputy President Paul Mashatile to address the 11th SA Aids Conference in Durban

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will on Tuesday, 20 June 2023, deliver a keynote address during the Opening Session of the 11th South African AIDS Conference, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province.

The 11th SA AIDS Conference scheduled to take place from 20-23 June 2023, will be held under the theme: “Act, Connect and End the Epidemic”, and it brings together the HIV community such as scientists, researchers, social activists, programme implementers, policy makers and most importantly, people living with HIV (PLHIV), to review and reflect on progress made towards HIV/AIDS and TB epidemic control in the midst of pandemics and other global health threats.

In this regard, the conference will also provide a platform for taking stock of the post pandemic South African HIV/AIDS, TB and STIs response and to deliberate on emerging priorities as the country forges ahead with efforts and strategies to eliminate HIV as a public health threat.

SANAC, chaired by Deputy President Mashatile, has played a leading role in championing response programmes in line with the new 2023-2028 National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV, TB, and STIs, through a multi-sectoral engagement which includes government, civil society and the private sector.

The Deputy President will lead the Opening Plenary alongside the SANAC Civil Society Chairperson, Ms Steve Letsike, the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, other government officials and representatives of development partners inclusive of UN Agencies and the African Development Community. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the session as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 20th June 2023
Time: 15h30 (Media to arrive at 15h00)
Venue: Main Plenary Hall, Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
 

Media queries: Sam Bopape (The Presidency) on 082 318 5251 or matome@presidency.gov.za, Foster Mohale (Department of Health) on 072 432 3792 or foster.mohale@health.gov.za and Nelson Dlamini (SANAC) on 078 731 0313 or nelson@sanac.org.za

For comments: Mr Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria