Address by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile at the Closing Plenary of the 9th South African TB Conference at the Birchwood Hotel & O.R Tambo Conference Centre,[...]

Conference Chairs, Dr. Nkateko Mkhondo and Prof. Jackson Marakalala;
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers present;
Dr. Gustaav Wolvaardt, the founder of FPD (Foundation for Professional Development), is the custodian of this conference;
CEO of FPD, Dr. Gloria Maimela;
Mr. Solly Nduku, the Co-Chairperson of SANAC;
Dr. Tshepo Sedibe, representing the SANAC Private Sector Forum;
SANAC CEO, Dr. Thembisile Xulu, and all SANAC Sectors represented here today;
The Leadership of Dira Sengwe Board here present;
MECs and MMC's present;
Leaders of Civil Society, Business, and Development Partners;
Esteemed delegates;
Fellow South Africans;

Greetings to you all.

In their absence, I would like to express our gratitude to the Premier of Gauteng Province, Mr. Panyaza Lesufi, and the host Mayor, Mr. Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, for graciously hosting us in this City of Ekurhuleni.

Equally, we thank Deputy Minister, Dr. Joe Phaahla, whose steadfast leadership continues to inspire our collective fight against TB, and Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, our Minister of Health, for officially opening this conference on Monday.

I fully agree with the Minister's sentiment that ending tuberculosis (TB) in our lifetime is not impossible and that it requires solidarity, dedication, and commitment from all of us.

In the mid-2000s, specifically between 2006 and 2008, the country experienced a significant TB epidemic, further aggravated by a growing HIV crisis. Subsequently, in the year 2008, Government, researchers, and civil society resolved to end fragmentation and "work as one," recognising that TB could not be tackled in isolation from HIV, poverty, and systemic health challenges.

At that time, a shift began toward a more integrated response, leading to innovations like joint TB/HIV strategies and community-based care models, culminating in the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs.

Now, in 2026, the conference theme, "Vuka! Let's Unite Towards a TB-Free World!" calls us to rekindle that spirit of unity. Our history in the response to HIV and TB reminds us that disjointed responses prolong epidemics, while collective action bends the curve of history.

The progress since the integration of our TB/HIV strategies, community-driven care, and innovations in diagnostics and treatment proves that unity delivers results. Thus, the 2026 conference serves as a call for renewal and a call to rise together, across nations and sectors, to march towards a TB-free world.

Yet even as we gather in unity, we must confront the stark truth that South Africa consistently ranks among the top eight countries globally for absolute TB incidence and stands first in the world when adjusted for population size. At the start of the conference on Monday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, comprehensively outlined the magnitude of our country's TB burden, and indeed the picture does not look good.

Nevertheless, as a country, we have gained momentum in our fight against TB by strengthening systems and embracing innovation and technology. As you have heard during the conference, this momentum is real.

Since 2015, South Africa has achieved a 61% reduction in TB incidence, surpassing the World Health Organization's 2025 milestone ahead of time. Cases have declined from over half a million in 2015 to around 249,000 in 2024.

This is proof of strong political commitment, scientific innovation, and the resilience of our communities. However, progress on TB mortality has been slow, with only a 17% drop since 2015, far short of the 50% target. This disparity serves as a harsh reminder that incidence reduction alone is insufficient to achieve triumph.

Lives must be saved, households must be protected, and dignity must be restored.

South Africa's response to TB continues to evolve with purpose and determination, underpinned by a strong multi-sectoral foundation led by SANAC, which coordinates efforts across Government, civil society, the private sector, and other partners to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and accountability mechanisms.

The next phase of the response must build on this momentum by leveraging strategic information, innovation, and integrated service delivery to break down barriers to access and ensure that interventions reach the most vulnerable in a timely and effective manner.

This requires a deliberate shift towards a more people-centered approach that prioritises community engagement, strengthens systems resilience, and ensures that leadership at all levels is held accountable for delivering measurable impact in the drive to end TB as a public health threat.

This conference has highlighted the importance of strengthening prevention, closing diagnostic gaps, improving treatment outcomes, and addressing the social and economic drivers of TB. It has also reinforced the need for stronger accountability mechanisms so that commitments made translate into measurable impact at the community level.

South Africa continues to demonstrate strong leadership in the fight against TB, driven by evidence-based interventions and data-driven responses.

One of the key milestones in our response has been the launch of our TB-data dashboard, which is accessible to the public. This platform enables more targeted interventions, strengthens data-driven decision-making, and fosters transparency by making critical information accessible to all stakeholders.

At the same time, South Africa remains at the forefront globally, among the first countries to adopt new and faster diagnostic technologies. This has significantly improved our ability to detect TB early and respond more effectively.

We have also seen a rapid uptake of new tools and innovations across the TB programme. We have introduced service delivery innovations such as targeted universal TB testing, ensuring that high-risk groups, including TB contacts and people living with HIV, are routinely tested regardless of symptoms.

We therefore also take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge all researchers who continue to lead on the innovation front. We welcome and strongly agree with Professor Mosa Moshabela when he said we have to embrace innovation, and that we must collaborate more as the various institutions in the work that we do.

Importantly, our commitment extends beyond treatment and diagnosis. At the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB, South Africa reaffirmed its pledge to implement TB vaccines as soon as they become available. This commitment is coupled with a recognition that ending TB requires addressing its root causes, including poverty, gender inequality, and the need for greater education on the TB epidemic.

Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive and forward-looking response, one that not only tackles the disease itself but also the conditions that allow it to persist.

The "End TB Plan" by the Department of Health outlines priorities, activities, monitoring frameworks, stakeholder roles, and targets over a defined period. It emphasises integration with HIV programmes, primary health care, and TB in the mines. It builds on the broader National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs 2023 - 2028; the TB Recovery Plan; and the WHO's global End TB Strategy.

It further aims to accelerate progress toward ending TB as a public health threat by 2035, with an intensified focus on prevention, early detection, treatment, and addressing social determinants. Minister Motsoaledi presented the Pillars of the Plan to you during the Opening Plenary and made a clarion call for all stakeholders and individuals to play their part in ending TB.

TB control is indeed everyone's responsibility:

· Government leadership must provide policy direction and resources.
· Health workers must be equipped with tools, training, and support.
· Researchers must continue advancing scalable innovations.
· Development partners and the private sector must provide support and align with national priorities.
· Communities must remain active partners, not afterthoughts.

Let us ensure that collaboration is not just a word but a working model. Let us make accountability a lived practice. Therefore, as we walk away from here, I call on all stakeholders to commit to the following:

· Turn recommendations into concrete plans with clear responsibilities and timelines.
· Strengthen TB service delivery at all levels.
· Address barriers to care, including stigma and human resource constraints.
· Improve TB-HIV integration.
· Prioritise prevention through accelerated and non-traditional screening, early treatment, and improved awareness.
· Support implementation research to ensure what works is scaled faster and wider.

At all times, remember that these conferences are valuable in fostering a shared vision. However, the true measure of success is what happens after the sessions end. Even as we acknowledged at the outset the heavy burden of TB in our nation, today we close with a renewed sense of hope and determination.

Let us leave this conference inspired by our achievements rather than what is left to do. The unity we have fostered across Government, civil society, the private sector, and communities demonstrates that we can shape a future rooted in justice and health.

TB is preventable, curable, and beatable. Each advancement confirms that the pursuit of a TB-free world is a tangible reality we are actively creating today.

"Vuka! Let's Unite Towards a TB-Free World!"

Therefore, with unity of purpose and resolve, and in my capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council, it is my honour to declare the 9th SA TB Conference officially closed!!!

I wish everyone safe travels home. May the unity and determination that guided our discussions this week continue to inspire your future work. Carry the renewed hope that together we can end TB.

Lastly, on your behalf, I wish Bafana Bafana well as they play Mexico this evening! Bafana Bafana, siyavena!

I thank you.