TB Accountability Consortium

11/06/2026

A huge congratulations to Mabusi Kgwete, a TB Champion, on receiving an award for her abstract presentation at the .

This recognition shows the power of community voices in shaping the TB response and highlights the important role that TB champions play in sharing lived experiences, driving advocacy and influencing change.

We are incredibly proud of Mabusi for representing communities affected by TB and for ensuring that their experiences remain at the centre of conversations on research, policy and action.

Rural Health Advocacy Project SA National Department of Health (South Africa) Stop TB Partnership World Health Organization (WHO)

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

As the comes to an end,
Mgayi Zimbini, Policy and Advocacy Officer at
TB Accountability Consortium, reflected on the people at the heart of the response, reminding delegates that the fight against extends far beyond conference discussions and into communities across the country.

“Beyond the presentations and discussions lies a painful reality: people in rural communities are still losing their lives to a preventable and treatable disease.”

She stressed that the voices of affected communities, rural healthcare workers and traditional leaders must remain at the centre of policy, funding and action.

“Most importantly, I am attending this TB Conference for those most affected by TB—the families, friends and communities who carry the burden of this disease every day...Ending TB starts with listening to and investing in the people most affected by it."

Rural Health Advocacy Project SA National Department of Health (South Africa) Stop TB Partnership World Health Organization (WHO) TBPeople Botswana TB People Uganda Western Cape TB Task Team

10/06/2026

In an emotional moment during the
TB Accountability Consortium satellite discussion, Victor Majezi-Mameshi, a TB champion from the Northern Cape, said: “I won’t stop until I win this fight of ending TB,” underscoring his deep personal commitment to the response.

He stressed the need for stronger support from all sectors, including government, communities and partners, to ensure champions are empowered and the fight to is sustained.



National Department of Health (South Africa) Stop TB Partnership World Health Organization (WHO) Rural Health Advocacy Project SA World Health Organization (WHO)

10/06/2026

As part of the panel speakers at TB Accountability Consortium's satellite session, Mabusi Kgwete, a TB champion from KZN Department of health EThekwini district., highlighted the critical role of education in the response, drawing on lived experience to stress the importance of empowering communities with accurate information.

She stated that education remains key to reducing stigma and ensuring that people understand , its treatment, and the importance of early diagnosis.

“I am big on education. Educating people about is my passion, because when communities are informed, they are better able to care for themselves and others.”

Rural Health Advocacy Project SA National Department of Health (South Africa) World Health Organization (WHO) Stop TB Partnership Aquity Innovations NPC Isibani Sempilo Yabantu Foundation Centre for Community Development

10/06/2026

Our second satellite session titled “From the ground up:
Embedding South Africa's TB champions in the national response” is currently underway at the 9th , putting a spotlight on the role of champions in strengthening country’s response through lived experience and community leadership.

National Department of Health (South Africa) World Health Organization (WHO) Stop TB Partnership TBPeople Botswana TB People Uganda Western Cape TB Task Team Ntswaki Mosia Ntswaki Violet Mabusi Kgwete

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

DAY 3: Opening the Health Systems Trust - HST satellite session on “Strengthening TB Services: Leveraging Innovation and Implementation Science to Improve TB Programmes”, Dr. Ntombi Sigwebela, CEO of Health Systems Trust, acknowledged the progress South Africa has made in reducing incidence and mortality.

But she stressed that remains a leading cause of illness and death, with many people still experiencing delays in diagnosis and treatment.

She noted that significant gaps remain in reaching people early in the course of the disease, especially in communities with limited access to healthcare, showing the need for stronger implementation and more equitable access to services.

Rural Health Advocacy Project SA National Department of Health (South Africa) Stop TB Partnership World Health Organization (WHO) TBPeople Botswana Ntswaki Mosia Ntswaki Violet Ntswaki Mosia Ntswaki Violet TB People Uganda Western Cape TB Task Team

09/06/2026

As part of the panel discussion at the , Dr. Nkhensani Nkwashu, SANAC’s Executive Manager of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs Implementation, reflected on the role of data in strengthening South Africa’s response, noting that current data has helped clarify accountability and identify what needs to change on the ground.

However, she pointed out that data alone is not enough. While existing data helps track progress, it does not explain why people are still being missed or fully show the social and structural barriers affecting access to care.

Rural Health Advocacy Project SA National Department of Health (South Africa) World Health Organization (WHO) Stop TB Partnership National Department of Health (South Africa) Stop TB Partnership TBPeople Botswana Western Cape TB Task Team