Tekano - Health Equity in South Africa

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Tekano - Health Equity in South Africa Our Vision: A more equitable South African society with improved health status across all populations.

Tekano / Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity in South Africa, has as its vision "A more equitable South African society with improved health status across all populations." We work to foster dynamic, visionary, values-based leaders working in catalytic communities of learning and action who articulate, convey, and act to promote health equity." Tekano offers: A Fellows Programme, An Alumni Programme, a presence and voice in its own right - promoting health equity through addressing structural and social determinants of health.

16/10/2026

According to Statistics South Africa’s General Household Survey 2025, 22% of households nationally considered their access to food inadequate or severely inadequate. The challenge was particularly pronounced in the Northern Cape, at 43%, followed by North West at 32.3% and the Eastern Cape at 30.8%.
This # WorldFoodDay, we share the story of our fellow Bhekumzi Mtakatye, an animal production scientist working to advance indigenous farming systems and improve food security.
To learn more about Bhekumzi, click here: https://shorturl.at/y0VmC

13/10/2026

In recent years, catastrophic floods have affected KwaZulu-Natal, claiming hundreds of lives, destroying homes and displacing tens of thousands of people. For many communities, the road to recovery has been long, with the effects of these disasters continuing long after the floodwaters recede. On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we share the story of our fellow, Nonkululeko Hlongwane-Mhlongo, a community engagement strategist, disaster preparedness and social justice activist, and founder of the Female President Academy. Through her work with communities, she helps build resilience and strengthen their capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

To learn more about Nonkululeko, click here: https://shorturl.at/xMtF7

10/10/2026

Recent studies show that more than 1 billion people worldwide are living with mental health conditions. In South Africa, at least 16% of the population experiences a mental health condition, and the actual figure may be higher. The World Health Organization highlights that social and environmental factors, including poverty, violence, inequality, and environmental deprivation, can increase the risk of developing mental health conditions.

On this , we share the story of our fellow, Dr Saira Abdulla, an academic and mental health advocate.

To learn more about Saira, click here: https://shorturl.at/EiGC9

06/10/2026

"Quite a number of intersex ge***al mutilations are happening. It's a silent conversation, and people are dying on the ground because health professionals are just normalising the idea of 'fixing' ge***als," says our fellow, Tebogo Makwati, a policy strategist and activist from the Northern Cape whose work centres on LGBTIQA+ rights.

This , we share Tebogo's story with you.

To learn more about Tebogo, click here: https://shorturl.at/5rkVn

02/10/2026

WATCH: We recently held a panel discussion titled “Advancing Health Equity in African Health Systems Through Pan-African Dialogue and Innovation” at the 18th World Congress on Public Health in Cape Town.
The conversation featured author and Tekano fellow Hombakazi Nqandeka, medical doctors Dr Moses Owino and Dr Nelly Bosire from Kenya, and midwife and author Dr Mmatshilo Motsei. The discussion was facilitated by Lance Louskieter, Programme Director at Tekano.
The panel explored how African knowledge, solidarity, and innovation can help build more equitable, responsive, and people-centred health systems.
Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/gjYS7-43M6s

24/09/2026

Sankofa Fellows’ (Cohort 7) Learning Experience 3 in Thailand 🇹🇭 has also been a moment of cultural exchange, a time to learn from one another and develop respect for different cultures.

On this , we share some moments from our experience of learning in different ways, including through acting, music, and dance. 🎭🎶💃🏾

Learn more about the Sankofa Fellows: https://shorturl.at/zlI4F

20/09/2026

🇹🇭 Thailand has made historic strides toward LGBTQI+ equality, including the Marriage Equality Act, which came into effect in 2025. But for many LGBTQI+ people, everyday life can still involve discrimination and stigma, alongside challenges in accessing gender-affirming care and other essential services.

During Sankofa fellows’ (Cohort 7) Learning Experience 3 in Bangkok, we engaged with the Foundation for SOGI Rights and Justice and the Foundation of Thai Transgender Alliance for Human Rights to learn more about the challenges facing the LGBTQI+ community and how they are working to address them.

Learn more about Sankofa fellows: https://shorturl.at/zlI4F

18/09/2026

Recent research shows that a range of structural, cultural, and economic barriers impede migrant children, stateless children, and ethnic minorities from equitable access to educational opportunities in Thailand. During one of Sankofa (Cohort 7) fellows’ Learning Experience 3 sessions in Bangkok. We engaged with the labour protection network, which among other things, advocates for migrant children’s right to education a school that is serving 400–500  children from Myanmar. 

Learn more about our Sankofa fellows: https://shorturl.at/zlI4F

 

17/09/2026

Thailand's universal health coverage reforms, along with Brazil's and Rwanda's, are often cited as comparative case studies in discussions of South Africa's National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHI currently faces court challenges, including allegations that public participation in its development and adoption was inadequate. Nanoot Mathurapote, Director of the Global Collaboration Department at Thailand's National Health Commission Office, spoke to why meaningful public participation matters in shaping public health policy, drawing on Thailand's own experience, at one of the Sankofa (Cohort 7) fellows' Learning Experience 3 sessions in Bangkok.

Learn more about our Sankofa fellows: https://shorturl.at/zlI4F

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8 Mzala Road, Khayelitsha
Cape Town
7784

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+27(0)878028161

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