HIV/AIDS remains one of the most serious public health challenges globally – and nowhere more so than in South Africa. According to the South African government’s official 2024 mid-year estimates, approximately 8.0 million people in the country are living with HIV, Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 40.8 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2024.
South Africa continues to shoulder the world’s heaviest HIV burden, with the highest number of people living with HIV of any country. While AIDS-related deaths have declined significantly over the years, the epidemic remains deeply entrenched, especially among young women and girls. The need for groundbreaking prevention tools has never been more urgent.
During the national commemoration of World AIDS Day on 1 December 2025, Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered a keynote address that may be remembered as a turning point in South Africa’s fight against HIV/Aids. He announced the introduction of Lenacapavir, a pioneering long-acting HIV-prevention drug that marks a new era in biomedical innovation.
Mashatile highlighted the significance of this moment, noting that the country stands on the brink of a major shift in HIV prevention. He emphasised that Lenacapavir offers long‑acting protection with just two injections a year and praised South Africa’s rapid regulatory readiness through SAHPRA making our regulator the first in Africa and third globally to register Lenacapavir.
“We cannot repeat the mistakes of the early ARV era, where life-saving tools reached our shores too slowly. This time, we move with urgency, with foresight, and with unity. Lenacapavir is not just a drug. It is a symbol of what becomes possible when science, political will, and community demand meet at the same table.”
Photo: A pharmacist holds a vial of lenacapavir, at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation's Masiphumelele Research Site, in Cape Town, South Africa. The drug's development has been heralded as the 2024 Breakthrough of the Year by the journal Science, which described it as representing “a pivotal step toward diminishing HIV/AIDS as a global health crisis.”
Image source: Nardus Engelbrecht / AP
Understanding Lenacapavir: The Drug Behind the Breakthrough
Lenacapavir was developed by Gilead Sciences, a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company renowned for its antiviral research including treatments for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, influenza, and COVID-19.
In 2024, Lenacapavir was named "Breakthrough of the Year" for its exceptional clinical performance, with trials demonstrating up to 99.9% efficacy in a major study involving peoples of various sexual orientation, highlighting its remarkable potential in HIV prevention.
These results stunned the global scientific community, with experts calling it one of the most promising HIV-prevention innovations in decades.
For the millions of South Africans living with HIV—and the millions more at risk—Lenacapavir represents a powerful source of hope. It signals a future where HIV prevention can be simplified, stigma can be reduced, and protection can be more accessible, especially for women and young people who bear the greatest burden of new infections.
As the country stands on the brink of a new chapter in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the message is clear: no one is alone, and no one is without options.
If you or someone you know wishes to learn more about HIV testing, treatment, or prevention tools like Lenacapavir, visit your nearest healthcare facility for guidance, support, and life-changing information.