South Africa’s battle against HIV is gaining renewed momentum as the government prepares to introduce the rollout of lenacapavir.
Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable prevention method that provides six months of protection with just two doses in a year.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed that the government has planned for the first phase of the lenacapavir rollout in South Africa to begin in March or April 2026.
He said this depends on how quickly the government and its partners coordinate logistics.
The minister participated in the roundtable with the South African National Aids Council.
They assessed the readiness of the drug’s administration at the provincial and district levels.
LENACAPAVIR ROLLOUT SOUTH AFRICA: WHO WILL RECEIVE THE INJECTION FIRST
The lenacapavir rollout in South Africa will prioritise 23 high-incident districts across six provinces.
The distribution will be through approximately 360 high-capacity public clinics.
The government will grant initial access to pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescent girls, sex workers, and men who have sex with men.
As these groups are historically known as the most vulnerable to new infections.
Motsoaledi said the lenacapavir clinical trials reported 100% protection among women.
However, it reported 96% among men who have sex with other men and transgender women.
He said this makes lenacapavir one of the most promising and ground-breaking prevention tools to date.
Furthermore, the drug offers protection without daily pills or frequent clinic visits, which will improve consistency in prevention.
PEPFAR BRIDGE PLAN SOUTH AFRICA SECURES SIX MONTHS OF HIV FUNDING
Backing the rollout effort as a crucial financial lifeline. In its latest briefing, the cabinet announced that the United States government has approved the PEPFAR Bridge Plan for South Africa.
This development unlocks US$115 million (approximately R2.1 billion) to sustain essential HIV services.
The lifeline will run from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026.
This follows the recent freezing of global foreign aid funding by the US government earlier this year.
The Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, welcomed the development during a media briefing on 16 October 2025.
“The PBP is meant to ensure uninterrupted HIV service delivery in South Africa by supporting HIV/AIDS service continuity and prioritising country-specific needs and life-saving impact,” she said.
FUNDING AND ROLLOUT TIMELINES MUST ALIGN TO MEET 2032 INFECTION TARGETS
Although both innovation and funding are now secured, the pressure is on for the government to synchronise clinical readiness, communication campaigns, and supply chains.
South Africa has set an ambitious goal to reduce new HIV infections to below 0.1% by 2032.
Additionally, health officials believe that if two to four million people access lenacapavir within its first two years, the country could reach near-elimination of new infections.
For many South Africans living with the daily risk of exposure, the combination of lenacapavir rollout and PEPFAR support marks a turning point.
