President Ramaphosa launches national rollout of lenacapavir for HIV prevention
- Simangaliso Motsepe
South Africa reached a historic milestone in its response to the HIV epidemic when President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched the national rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection, on 5 June 2026 at the Lilian Ngoyi Stadium in Secunda, Mpumalanga.
The launch marks a new chapter in the country’s HIV prevention programme, introducing an innovative biomedical intervention that strengthens South Africa’s comprehensive HIV prevention strategy and reinforces its commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Lenacapavir is a breakthrough antiretroviral medicine designed to prevent HIV infection by stopping the virus from multiplying in the body. Unlike daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Lenacapavir is administered through just two injections per year, providing an effective and convenient HIV prevention option for HIV-negative individuals, particularly those who prefer a long-acting alternative.
Addressing thousands of attendees at the launch, President Ramaphosa described the introduction of Lenacapavir as a defining moment in South Africa’s HIV response. “To us, Lenacapavir is not just a medicine or a drug; it represents a major turning point in South Africa’s national story. It is the triumph of science over despair and the power of innovation to save lives,” the President said.
He noted that the new prevention option offers renewed hope for young women, families and communities most affected by HIV while acknowledging South Africa’s continued progress in building the world’s largest HIV treatment programme and expanding access to life-saving medicines.
The President, however, cautioned that Lenacapavir is not a standalone solution. “Let us be clear: Lenacapavir is not a silver bullet. It is one more powerful tool in our arsenal. It complements HIV testing, oral PrEP, treatment as prevention, condoms, voluntary medical male circumcision and behavioural interventions.”
He further emphasised that the success of the programme will depend on collective action. “Success will still depend on education. Success will still depend on responsibility. Success will still depend on ending stigma and discrimination. Most importantly, success will depend on all of us,” said President Ramaphosa.
The national rollout forms part of an ambitious prevention programme that will initially be available at 360 public health facilities across six provinces and 24 high HIV-burden districts. Government aims to reach nearly one million people by the end of 2027, with plans to expand access to approximately three million people over the next three years.
The rollout is supported through a R1.3 billion partnership between the South African Government, the Global Fund and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, together with national government funding. The initiative also reflects South Africa’s commitment to expanding equitable access to life-saving medicines while strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and long-term health security.
Speaking on behalf of civil society, SANAC Civil Society Forum (CSF) Chairperson, Bab Solly Nduku, reaffirmed civil society’s commitment to ensuring that communities benefit from this important scientific advancement.
“As civil society, we remain committed to supporting demand creation, community education, advocacy, accountability and meaningful community engagement. We will continue to work alongside government, development partners, the private sector and communities to ensure that this innovation translates into real impact on the ground.”
A particularly symbolic moment during the launch was when Jane Mndebele, a 21-year-old from eMbalenhle, became the first person in South Africa to receive the Lenacapavir injection at Extension 19 Clinic. Her participation marked the beginning of a new era in HIV prevention and offered hope to millions of South Africans, particularly adolescent girls and young women who continue to experience a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections.
The introduction of Lenacapavir builds on South Africa’s longstanding commitment to evidence-based HIV prevention and demonstrates the country’s willingness to embrace scientific innovation in the fight against HIV. Importantly, it expands prevention choices, empowering individuals to select options that best suit their lifestyles while supporting adherence and improving health outcomes.
The successful launch also underscores the importance of sustained collaboration between government, civil society, development partners, researchers, healthcare workers, the private sector and communities. This partnership has been central to South Africa’s HIV response and remains essential to achieving the country’s prevention targets.