Getting the flu vaccine and taking care of yourself by ensuring a healthy lifestyle are the two best ways to reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu this winter.

Getting your annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself against flu and serious complications, says the Western Cape Delft Community Health Centre’s dietician, Tanja Venter.

She said you can also help your body to fight off infections by eating a well-balanced diet that includes lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

“If you do catch a cold or the flu, having a strengthened immune system can help to reduce the severity of symptoms and the period of illness,” she adds. 

While no single food item can guarantee immunity against colds and flu, Venter says food rich in antioxidants can boost the immune system by ensuring that immune cells work optimally.

“Including butternut, pumpkin, citrus fruits (oranges), tomatoes, whole grains, milk and lean meats, and drinking lots of clean water can contribute to a healthier immune system, keeping colds and flu at bay.”

For infants and toddlers, up to the age of two, Venter says breastfeeding provides them with the best start to a healthy immune system.

Reduce stress

Other ways to ensure a healthy immune system include monitoring your well-being and stress levels.

Venter explains that long-term stress can affect the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections.

“With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often find ourselves stressed out, eating poorly and not doing enough exercise. Exercising can reduce stress and improve overall health,” says Venter.

You can also decrease stress by doing something that helps you unwind, such as drawing, painting, sewing, writing or cooking. 

“Other healthy habits for adults and children include good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands regularly, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow and staying home when you are sick to avoid infecting others,” says Venter.

Visit your local clinic to get your flu vaccine, or for a check-up, if you develop any of the common flu symptoms, including a headache, fever or body chills, sore throat or cough (usually dry), tiredness and weakness, a runny or stuffy nose, aching muscles and vomiting, diarrhoea and high fever (common in children).

This information was supplied by the Western Cape Government.

Government departments tabled their 2022/23 financial year budgets in mid-May. Vuk’uzenzele shares some highlights.

Higher education, science and innovation

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, announced a budget of R130.1 billion to be distributed between six programmes, namely administration, planning, policy and strategy, university education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), skills development and community education and training.

“Government remains firmly committed to financially supporting students from poor and working-class backgrounds while putting a sustainable mechanism in place to support students from the so-called ‘missing middle’ and postgraduate students,” he said.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) budget is R49 billion, of which the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is contributing R45.9 billion. 

“This includes funding reprioritised from the departmental budget to ensure that the full shortfall for the NSFAS is addressed in 2022/23 to support students during the 2022 academic year,” Nzimande confirmed.

He added that the National Skills Fund will provide R866 million in budget support for scholarships and bursaries, made up of R221 million to the National Research Foundation; R527 million to NSFAS; R80 million (R241 million over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework) to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; and R37.9 million to the DHET Internal Scholarship.

This financial year, R7.584 billion is available for investment in infrastructure projects across the 26 universities, with R2.953 billion going towards student housing for the delivery of 16 858 beds across 11 universities.

“Clearly, R2.953 billion is inadequate for student accommodation, therefore we will seek private sector partnerships, including those already indicating they are investing on their own,” he added.

Agriculture, rural development and land reform

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, said the department’s budget for this financial year is R17.3 billion. 
Of this, the following amounts have been allocated: 

• Ilima/Letsema Conditional Grant (R610 million).
• Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) (R1.2 billion).
• CASP Extension Services (R304 million).
• Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (R3.7 billion).
• Agricultural Research Council (R1.2 billion).
• National Marketing Council (R48.5 million).
• Ingonyama Trust Board (R24.4 million).

Exciting news for the sector was the Minister’s announcement that the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan was signed just before her Budget Vote on 12 May.

“This Masterplan is lifting our gaze to imagine the agricultural sector we want in South Africa. We want a prosperous and inclusive agricultural sector that thrives on better use of its natural and human resources,” she said.

The Minister also highlighted the department’s transfer of R400 million of the committed R1 billion grant to the Agri-Industrial Fund, as per the Memorandum of Agreement with the Industrial Development Corporation.

“In our first year, the facility funded nine projects (R384 million). All of these projects are black-owned and operated and four are women-owned. This facilitated 229 new jobs,” Didiza confirmed.

There are 31 transactions in the pipeline requiring R2.2 billion, of which R623 million is grant funding. “It is envisaged that 1 371 new permanent jobs will be created through these initiatives.”

Health

The Department of Health’s budget for this financial year is R64.5 billion. 

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said 86% of the budget will be transferred to provinces as conditional grants to support various activities, including HIV/Aids and TB programmes; human resources, including medical interns and community services doctors; and infrastructure support.

The department’s main focus this financial year will be on recovering comprehensive health services. 

“Going forward, the key is to integrate the mitigation against COVID-19 into our basket of services from primary healthcare levels upwards, including the vaccination programme which must increasingly be part of our comprehensive services,” Minister Phaahla said.
To this end, the department has allocated R2 billion for vaccines.

Government is still committed to universal health coverage for all South Africans. “Improvement of quality of service at public health facilities will be a major focus in this financial year,” said Minister Phaahla.

Provinces will share R6.8 billion in direct conditional grants to construct, revitalise and maintain hospitals, clinics and other facilities. 

The first 1 000 days – from conception to the age of two – are the most important to ensure a child’s best growth and development.

Midwives – trained health professionals who help pregnant women and assist during labour, delivery and after the baby’s birth – are available at public hospitals to assist expectant mothers.

“As midwives, we do regular check-ups, such as urine, blood pressure and infection tests,” says Miriam Javan, a midwife at Kraaifontein Hospital in the Western Cape.

“We conduct health education and inform expectant mothers about the dangers of smoking and substance and alcohol abuse during pregnancy, which can harm the unborn baby,” she adds.

Midwives also keep a close eye on the expectant mother for any danger signs during pregnancy. It’s important to book your first appointment with the maternity clinic early, to ensure early detection of any problems, says Javan.

She encourages women to book their first visit as soon as they know they are pregnant or before 20 weeks. Midwives can then check the stage of pregnancy, determine any abnormalities in the foetus, provide a full examination of the mother and assessment of her health status, monitor her pregnancy journey, provide prenatal education and prepare her for a safe delivery.

Basic antenatal care

At your first visit maternity clinic visit, a midwife will take a detailed medical and family history to assess your overall health. 
Your blood pressure, height and weight will also be checked, and you will be offered blood tests to check; 

• Your blood group; 
• See if you have anaemia, 
• Any infectious diseases or sexually transmitted infections; 
• Determine if you are immune to rubella (German measles) – a contagious viral infection preventable by vaccine.

 The midwife may also suggest a urine test to see if you have a urinary tract infection.

Your midwife will determine how far along you are in your pregnancy and give you information to help you keep healthy and ensure you have good support and care. You will then be given your next appointment date. These check-ups are important developmental milestones for the foetus.

“We advise all mothers to eat healthy foods so that unborn babies can get all the nutrients they need to develop. Once babies are born, healthy eating also assists in producing quality breast milk,” says Sister Bernadette Wingrove, the Operational Nursing Manager at the Khayelitsha Midwife Obstetric Unit. 

Information supplied by the Western Cape Department of Health.

Written by Ursula Graaff

In November 2020, the Constitutional Court extended the inclusion of domestic workers into the Compensation Fund and the new rules took effect in 2021. 

This means that domestic workers are now eligible for work-related injury, illness and death compensation.

“The Compensation Fund is there to assist workers if they are injured, contract a disease or die on duty. Domestic workers or their dependents can claim from the Compensation Fund,” says Compensation Fund Director for Communication and Stakeholder Management Hlonitshwa Mpaka. 

There are only 1676 domestic employers registered with the Compensation Fund.

She added that it is the employer’s responsibility to register a domestic worker with the Compensation Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). 

They can do this through the Department of Employment and Labour’s website (www.labour.gov.za.) 

Domestic workers are required to be registered with the Compensation Fund, regardless of their working hours. 

The amount the employer must contribute on behalf of their domestic worker is determined by the domestic worker’s yearly earnings. 

If an employee is injured on duty, the employer must provide the necessary documentation for a claim to be processed, including the employee’s identity document and a medical certificate, which must contain detailed information about the injury and damages.

Claims can be done online via the CompEasy system (compeasy.labour.gov.za).

If you need more information about registering with the Compensation Fund, you can get in touch with them through their call centre on 0860 105 350 or you can visit a labour centre around the country.

Registering with the UIF

UIF Director of Communications and Marketing Makhosonke Buthelezi also encourages domestic workers and employers to register with the UIF, which gives short-term relief to workers when they become unemployed or are unable to work because of maternity, adoption and parental leave, or illness. 

 “As a domestic worker, you must be working for more than 24 hours per month to be registered. You do not qualify for UIF if you work less than that. If you work for more than one employer, they should register you with the UIF, provided you work for 24 hours per month for each of them.” 

Buthelezi adds that both the employer and the employee should contribute to the UIF. The amount is determined by the employee’s monthly earnings. The employer and employee contribute one percent each to the UIF on a monthly basis.

“There are currently 724 801 domestic employers registered with the UIF,” says Buthelezi.

The minimum wage for a domestic worker increased with effect from 1 March 2022, from R21.69 to R23.19 an hour.

“The Compensation Fund is there to assist workers if they are injured, contract a disease or die on duty.” 

How to register with the UIF

An employer will need to complete the UI.8D and UI.19 application forms. Completed forms can be sent via post to PO Box 1851, Pretoria, 0001; emailed to Newui8registrations@labour.gov.za; or submitted at the nearest labour centre. 

These forms can be obtained from the Department of Employment and Labour’s website (www.labour.gov.za). 

An employer may also do the registration online at www.ufiling.gov.za.

They will need the following documents:

• A completed application form or complete an application form online 
• South African identity document or smart card 
• A passport in the absence of an identity document
• An asylum seeker permit.

An employee can claim UIF benefits at their nearest labour centre or online at www.ufiling.co.za/uif/.

If you would like more information on the UIF and how to claim, you can visit your nearest labour centre or visit the Employment and Labour website. 

You can also go to the department’s social media pages, Facebook (UIFZA) or Twitter (@UIFBenefits). 

Did you know?

May is Workers’ Month, which serves as a celebration and reminder of workers’ rights.
 

Written by Kgaogelo Letsebe

Close to 90% of the fires during South Africa’s winter months are caused by human negligence. This is according to Working on Fire spokesperson Ofentse Letswalo. 

Launched in 2003, Working on Fire is an Expanded Public Works Programme that is run by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Letswalo says the winter months have more fire incidents as people try to keep warm. Candles, open flames, braziers and dry winter grass increase the fire risk. 

In readiness for the fire season – which is from May to October – thousands of firefighters from Working on Fire complete Yellow Card Training Camps each year. 

“These training camps are for specialised firefighting. After completing a comprehensive initial firefighting training course, these young recruits receive a yellow card as part of their qualification. This card grants a firefighter permission to be deployed to a fire line. Their techniques include firebreaks, passing through a firewall, and theoretical knowledge,” he says. 

Busisiwe Mashinini, an instructor at the Kishugu training camp in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, says the Working on Fire teams are encouraged to teach their community members about the dangers of fire. 

“Learning about fire hazards is the key to preventing fires from occurring. We plead with community members to work with us in preventing unwanted fires by continuing to educate their peers and children about the dangers of fire,” she says. 
Safety first.

Mashinini explains that communities should have an emergency escape plan in place, in case they are faced with a run-away fire; matches should be kept out of children’s reach; candles must not be placed near anything that can catch alight; and wood, dry grass and anything else flammable should not be left in and around the borders of properties.

She urges community members to learn the emergency ‘stop, drop and roll’ action, which should be used when they cannot escape a fire. “Remain calm. Stop what you are doing, drop to the ground, cover your face if possible, and roll over and over until the flames go out. Avoid running as this will only escalate the flames,” says Mashinini.

The Department of Public Service and Administration has issued a circular to all national and provincial departments giving notice that job applicants are no longer required to submit certified copies of their educational qualifications and other relevant documents on their applications.

According to the department, applicants must submit a completed Z83 form, copies of supporting documents and a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Public Service and Administration Acting Director-General, Linda Dludla, said in order to lessen the administrative workload to Human Resource sections as well as the cost for applying for a government job, departments are encouraged to request certified copies of educational qualifications and other relevant documents only from shortlisted candidates.

Shortlisted candidates should submit certified copies to the Human Resource section on or before the day of the interview.

The Acting DG said job-seekers applying for advertised jobs in all national and provincial government departments should still fully complete all fields in Part A and Part B of the new Z83 form.

Applicants must answer all areas as it is acceptable for an applicant to indicate not applicable but not acceptable to just leave sections blank.

The department has appealed to applicants to complete all fields in full for both Part C and D. With regard to Part E, F and G, where there is limited space, applicants are allowed to indicate “see attached’ CV, as long as the CV is attached with all the required information.

If the required information is not provided on the CV, the applicant may be disqualified.

The CV is an extension of the application of employment Z83 and applicants are responsible for the information that is provided in it.

“The questions related to conditions that prevent reappointment in the public service space under Part F must be answered, the declaration must also be completed and signed,” said the Acting Director-General.

According to Dludla, applicants who will not utilise the most recent Z83 form for employment issues will be disqualified. – SAnews.gov.za

From The Union Buildings

The South African economy, like any other economy, cannot function, let alone grow, without efficient and competitive network industries. These industries – which include electricity, water, transport and telecommunications – are the arteries through which the oxygen of the economy runs.

 

Structural problems in these areas have long been cited as some of the main constraints on South Africa’s economic growth. Inefficiency and the high cost of network services are an impediment to doing business in the country.

To address and overcome these challenges, we set up Operation Vulindlela in October 2020 as an initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate structural reforms in these network industries. While the responsible government departments and entities drive these reforms, Operation Vulindlela monitors and identifies challenges and blockages. Where needed, it facilitates technical support to departments.

The recent quarterly report outlines the progress made by Operation Vulindlela and the departments responsible for these reforms.

Across government, our focus is on reforms that are fundamental and transformative; that reshape the way our economy works.

This includes the auction of high-demand spectrum for mobile telecommunications, which was delayed for more than 10 years and finally completed in March. The release of new spectrum will improve connectivity and bring down broadband costs. 

The establishment of the National Ports Authority as a separate subsidiary of Transnet last year had been delayed for more than 15 years. This was the necessary first step towards enabling private sector participation and increasing the efficiency of our port terminals.

We have also reinstated the Blue Drop, Green Drop and No Drop system for the first time since 2014 to ensure better monitoring of water and wastewater treatment quality. We have published an updated Critical Skills List, also for the first time since 2014.

These are just some examples where, by focusing effort and attention on a limited number of priority reforms, this administration has been able to drive progress.

Through Operation Vulindlela, we have also been able to take a more focused and holistic approach to reforms, ensuring better coordination where multiple departments and entities are involved.

The best example of this is in the energy sector, where a number of important, interconnected reforms are underway to change the way that we generate and consume electricity.

Milestones include the raising of the licensing threshold for new generation projects to 100MW, allowing these projects to connect to the grid and sell power to customers. We have revived the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme through the opening of new bid windows.

Changes to the regulations on new generation capacity have allowed municipalities to procure power independently for the first time. And legislative reforms will ultimately give birth to a new competitive electricity market, supported by the publication of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill and the work underway to amend the Electricity Pricing Policy.

The process of unbundling Eskom is on track, with the entity meeting its December 2021 deadline for the establishment of a National Transmission Company. By December this year we hope to complete the unbundling of Eskom’s generation and distribution divisions.

The quarterly report highlights a number of other important achievements, as well as areas where intensive work is underway.

In the water sector, Operation Vulindlela has been providing technical support to the Department of Water and Sanitation to implement a turnaround plan for the granting of water use licences, with a target to process 80% of all applications within 90 days.

Work is also underway to establish a National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency that will ensure better management of our national water resources.

In the transport sector, inefficiencies in port and rail have severely affected our ability to export goods. Work is underway to establish partnerships with private sector operators to invest in port infrastructure and improve the management of container terminals at the ports of Durban and Ngqura.

The White Paper on National Rail Policy, which was approved by Cabinet in March, outlines plans to revitalise rail infrastructure and enables third party access to the freight rail network. Transnet Freight Rail is already in the process of making slots available for private rail operators on the network.

A fully operational e-Visa system has been launched in 14 countries, including some of our largest tourist markets. A comprehensive review of the work visa system is also underway to enable us to attract the skills that our economy needs.

These reforms have been made possible due to better collaboration across government behind a shared reform agenda.

We call on business and investors to take advantage of the changes that are underway and turn their pledges and commitments into tangible, job creating investments.

The South African Post Office (Sapo) will no longer pay beneficiaries of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R350 grant at its branches.

In a recent statement, the Post Office said this move will result in shorter queues at its branches.

“The new round of applications for the SRD grant has opened.  The application app now includes an option where beneficiaries can receive their grant from any Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers or USave merchant,” Sapo said.

The Post Office has encouraged beneficiaries to opt for this option, as branches will no longer pay out SRD grants.

“If you have already reapplied for your SRD grant, you can still select the option to collect your grant from any Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers or USave. 

Log on to https://srd.sassa.gov.za and respond to the security SMS you receive on your phone. You can then include merchants in your application and submit the updated application.

“Beneficiaries must have their own cell number to withdraw their grant at supermarkets. If you do not have your own number, it is best to get your own SIM card and use that number to apply for your grant. You can also change your cell number on the above website.” 

Beneficiaries will be assisted to reset card pins at the cash pay points and the card can then be used at merchants at ATMs.

South African Social Security Agency beneficiaries who receive their old age, disability or child grants can still collect their grants from any Post Office branch. – SAnews.gov.za

The Mpumalanga province will host the third instalment of the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Izimbizo.

The Imbizo will take place on Friday, 20 May 2022, in the small town of Carolina in the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality under the Gert Sibande District.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Ministry said the Mpumalanga Presidential Imbizo follows a series of successful episodes of the Presidential Izimbizo in both the North West and Free State provinces respectively.

The President will be accompanied by the Premier, various Cabinet Ministers, including the DDM champions, Provincial MECs, Mayors and Councillors. 

“In the lead-up to the Presidential Imbizo, various government leaders will conduct build-up community engagements across the length and breadth of the province to give citizens a chance to directly interface with government and access services within proximity,” said the Ministry.

The Presidential Imbizo affords all social partners, government, traditional leaders, civil society organs (labour, women, youth, persons with disabilities, business) and communities an opportunity to collectively engage on how to best address the immediate challenges and to create conditions for long-lasting stability and development.

 The government leadership across the three spheres of government led by the President will also record the issues raised and respond with clear timeframes and action plans.

The President is committed to continuing to build an ethical, capable, and developmental state that delivers on its mandate and is corruption free at every sphere.

The DDM which is an all-of-government and society approach advocates for integrated and responsive planning, implementation, and budgeting guided by the ‘One Plans’, to leverage the endowments of the province for the benefit of communities in Mpumalanga.

To this end, the Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande Districts have finalised their One Plans in which all public participation processes were followed. The effective implementation of the One Plans will ensure that no one is left behind in growing Mpumalanga.

The Presidential Imbizo aims to address the sustainability and effectiveness of municipalities which is characterised by poor service delivery and sluggish development owing to the lack of coherent planning, budgeting and implementation. SAnews.gov.za

Written by Allison Cooper

With South Africa’s COVID-19 cases increasing ahead of the predicted fifth wave and cold winter months around the corner, government continues to urge the public to get vaccinated against the virus and stay up to date with their booster shots.

According to Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, on 25 April South Africa recorded a 137% increase in new COVID-19 cases, compared with the previous seven days, driven mainly by higher rates of infection in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

“COVID-19 remains a threat and we cannot afford to drop all prevention measures,” said Minister Phaahla. 

“We again urge all those who are still not vaccinated to come forward and take the jab. We are still under 50% of adults with at least one jab and that’s not good. We urge young adults to come forward. Natural immunity wanes after time and unlike vaccination, it cannot be booked. We urge all those who qualify for boosters to take the opportunity before deep winter,” he added.

The Western Cape Department of Health says local and international data prove that vaccination against COVID-19 remains the best defence against the virus. This is even more so for people who have a compromised immune system.

COVID-19 will not go away anytime soon. To defeat it, we must eradicate it by ensuring that as many people as possible are vaccinated and continue to have their booster shots, the department said.

The fifth wave

Even though COVID-19 cases are increasing and the country is expecting to soon be in the fifth wave, it is not yet known how severe it will be.

“What is still uncertain is that our scientists tell us that a new wave will come through a new variant nicknamed Pi, which will need to be more transmissible and escape immunity. But, at this stage, what is confirmed to be dominant are sub-variants of Omicron called B.4 and B.5,” said Phaahla.

Prevent transmission

You can help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by ensuring:

• That your COVID-19 vaccinations (including booster shots) are up to date.
• That indoor spaces are well ventilated.
• Wearing a face mask when indoors and in crowded spaces.
• That you get the flu vaccine.
• That you know what to do when you have flu-like symptoms.
• That you wash your hands and sanitise.

For a list of active vaccination sites, visit https://sacoronavirus.co.za/active-vaccination-sites/

Written by Dikeledi Molobela

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has committed to checking on the Global Fund Grant to ensure that it is implemented in a quality manner and that the country utilises the funding received efficiently.

Minister Phaahla said this recently while officiating the signing of the new Global Fund grant valued over R8.8 billion for the next three-year cycle for the country’s response to HIV and tuberculosis (TB).

“I urge our implementers to make South Africa proud and utilise the money accountably and effectively ensure that services are reaching the communities in need.

“I am excited for the new funding and promise to check in on the grant to ensure [that] we are implementing in a quality manner and absorbing funds effectively,” the Minister said. 

He added that the country was grateful for the partnership it has forged with the Global Fund since 2003.

To date, this partnership has seen South Africa receiving around US$1.3 billion to fight HIV, TB and Malaria.  The grant will strengthening the country’s efforts towards meeting the 2030 Sustainable Goals.

“I would like to thank the Global Fund for increasing the funding allocation for South Africa from US$ 369 million in 2019-2022 to US$ 546 million for the period 2022-2025.”

The allocated funds will support activities to be implemented through the AIDS Foundation of South Africa, Beyond Zero, NACOSA and the National Department of Health as principal recipients.

Minister Phaahla extended his gratitude to Global Fund for responding vividly to the COVID pandemic, through grant flexibilities.

“The COVID-19 Response funding is contributing significantly to limit interruptions in delivery of TB and HIV services,” he said.

Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM)

Speaking about SA’s Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), Minister Phaahla said that it ensured a consultation process where, every province; key population; beneficiaries; constituency; sector had a say in what goes in the funding proposal.

The CCM consulted more than 35 entities and over 2000 individuals to inform the funding proposal.

 “Our current CCM has managed to prioritise the transformation agenda, about 400 community-based organisations will be empowered and trained to be able to implement our programmes, and 200 of them will be trusted with a small grant,” he said.

The CCM particularly developed the Sub-Recipient Selection Manual, which promotes implementation through community-based organisations and balances with performance of implementers to ensure the grant is successful.

Minister Phaahla also noted an inclusion of a new program that supports the establishment of community-led networks for former inmates; cervical cancer to prevent and treat cervical cancer among high-risk women and girls.

He also noted a telemedicine (e.g. virtual consults) and an e-pharmacy service which will be implemented especially for men who have sex with men but also open to all key and vulnerable populations.

He expressed commitment to ensure that the country makes the best use of these optimised resources.

“We will increase our efforts to quickly implement our programmes in HIV and TB to recover some gains which were reversed due to COVID-19. We will continue to maximise the use of our resources through efficiency measures and further streamline implementation processes and ensure we use the funding received efficiently. We want to ensure we make an impact on HIV and TB by finding the missing patients and putting them on treatment.”

Lessons from the HIV and TB programmes

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Co-Chair of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), Steve Letsike, said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa drew lessons from the HIV and TB programmes to adapt using community-based and community-led systems.

Letsike said that the Global Fund was also generous enough to distribute additional financial resources to aid the country in ensuring that it does not further compromise gains made against HIV and TB.

 Letsike said that the Global Fund’s unique partnership approach leverages the expertise of other organisations and agencies, its comprehensive engagement of communities most affected by HIV and TB, and its country-led funding model is what sets the fund apart, making it responsive, adaptable, and highly effective.

“We have seen this result in strong partnerships with communities, civil society, governments, the private sector, and donors, making it a global health leader alongside the country.

“We hope to continue on this trajectory as we embark on this new chapter where we shall continue to fight, laugh, smile, cry and hold each other accountable as we achieve the best results towards an HIV, TB, Stigma, gender-based violence free South Africa,” she said.

“I urge our implementers to make South Africa proud and utilise the money accountably and effectively ensure that services are reaching the communities in need.”