11/06/2026
Deputy President Honourable Paul Mashatile, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla, delivered the keynote address at the closing ceremony of the 9th South African TB Conference in Johannesburg, which brought together more than 1,000 national and regional delegates from across sectors.
Aligned with the conference theme, “Vuka, Let’s Unite to End TB,” the Deputy President’s address emphasised the urgent need to move away from fragmented efforts towards a more coordinated, integrated, and multisectoral response to TB. He called for renewed unity of purpose across government, civil society, communities, and development partners, underscoring that collaboration is essential to accelerating progress towards ending TB.
The discussions throughout the conference further rekindled the spirit of collective action, characterised by a shared “unity of purpose and resolve,” reinforcing the message that unity is not only symbolic but a practical driver of results in the fight against TB. Together, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening partnerships, addressing the social determinants of TB, and advancing a whole-of-society response to end the disease.
Pic: SANAC