The 2025 commemorations placed a strong emphasis on men's wellness, HIV prevention, community mobilisation, and the protection and empowerment of young people, says the AHF.

South Africa has the world's largest HIV epidemic, with an estimated 7.8-million people living with HIV. New HIV infections remain highest among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and men, particularly those who present late for testing and treatment, adds the AHF.

Against this backdrop, AHF South Africa's 2025 World AIDS Day activities were strategically aligned to support the National Department of Health's '1.1-Million Closing the Gap' campaign. The activities focused on reaching populations most affected by HIV, with the objective of identifying and supporting the estimated 1.1-million people living with HIV who remain undiagnosed, diagnosed but not linked to care, or disengaged from HIV treatment, in line with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) goals and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 Strategy, says the AHF.

KwaZulu-Natal Province: Mobile Clinic Activation Strengthened Men's Health at Glebelands Hostel  

On Friday, 5 December, AHF South Africa, in collaboration with the eThekwini Department of Health, Municipal Health Unit, Office of the Mayor, CSF, developmental partners, and local stakeholders, commemorated World AIDS Day at the Glebelands Community Residential Units (CRU), says the AHF.

The activation paid tribute to lives lost to HIV while prioritising men's wellness, addressing a key gap in early HIV testing and treatment initiation among men in KwaZulu-Natal. Through AHF's Mobile Health Clinic Programme, the activation facilitated access to HIV testing, TB screening, sexual and reproductive health services, and immediate linkage to care, adds the AHF.

Since its launch in August 2025, the Mobile Health Clinic Project has delivered community-based health services to residents of Umlazi, Ntuzuma, Lindelani and Glebelands, contributing to improved service uptake, early STI and HIV diagnosis, and strengthened linkage to treatment, in alignment with the NSP and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, says the AHF.

According to the AHF, services provided included: 

  • HIV testing
  • STI screening, diagnosis, and treatment
  • ART initiation and re-initiation
  • PrEP initiation
  • TB screening and referral
  • condom distribution
  • IEC material distribution, and
  • the activation strengthened relationships with Glebelands residents and laid the groundwork for regular ongoing wellness services.  

Gauteng Province: Men's Dialogue Elevated Early HIV Testing and Mental Health

On Wednesday, 3 December, AHF South Africa, Department of Health, Community power voices, Men's Sector forum, Dobsonville parliamentary office and partners hosted World AIDS Day event at Kopanong Community Hall in Dobsonville area. The main objective of the event was to address the ongoing challenges of decreased health seeking behavior amongst males, as this population usually present late in facilities which leads to high rate of mortality and morbidity, says the AHF.

The event integrated HIV awareness with a men-focused mental health dialogue, unpacking social norms that discourage health -seeking behavior. Interactive games and safe-space discussions encouraged men to express vulnerability and take ownership of their health, adds the AHF.

According to the AHF, services offered included: 

  • HIV Testing Services (HTS)
  • PSA screening
  • STI and IPV screening
  • condom distribution and demonstrations
  • PrEP Initiation
  • ART Initiation, and
  • PHC Services.

The programme reached men through collaboration with the Men's Sector, CPVs, Men's Parliament, and community-based organisations, adds the AHF.

The event started with a walk from Itireleng clinic to Kopanong community hall as a way of raising awareness and setting the tone for the event, says the AHF.

Eastern Cape Province: Communities Mobilised Against Teenage Pregnancy, HIV and GBV 

In the Eastern Cape, AHF South Africa focused on adolescent girls and young women, who continue to face overlapping risks including HIV infection, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence. The province's World AIDS Day activities took place on Wednesday, 3 December in Mnquma.  

According to the AHF, the programme included: 

  • Radio campaigns on prevention of teenage pregnancy, HIV prevention, condom use, and STI education.
  • Door-to-door campaigns in Msobomvu and Bika, offering HIV testing, TB screening, treatment initiation and tracing of clients lost to care.
  • A march against GBV and teenage pregnancy, highlighting the involvement of older men — including police officers and educators — in cases related to statutory sexual offences and calling for accountability and youth protection.  
  • Partners included the Department of Health, Department of Social Development, SAPS, We Care, TBHIVCARE, Acquity, and Beyond Zero.

AHF South Africa Reinforces Commitment to Closing the Gaps in HIV Prevention, Treatment and Community Support 

"World AIDS Day reminds us that HIV remains a daily reality for millions across South Africa," says Ngaatendwe Murombedzi, Regional Policy and Advocacy Manager at AHF. "Our activities were designed to reach groups at highest risk, men in both KZN and Gauteng, and adolescent girls and young women in the Eastern Cape — while strengthening pathways to early testing, prevention, and treatment."

Dr Nombuso Madonsela, Country Medical Director for AHF South Africa, adds, "Our efforts this year speak to promotion of Combination prevention strategy as an effective tool for curbing the spread of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), as well as preventing unintended pregnancies amongst identified key population."

"We are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind as we work to reduce HIV incidence, close the NDOH 1.1M UNAIDS Gap and improve treatment outcomes," says Dr Madonsela.

Through its provincial commemorations, AHF South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to expanding equitable healthcare access, strengthening HIV prevention and empowering communities to drive progress toward the end of HIV and AIDS, concludes the AHF.

For more information, visit www.aidshealth.org. You can also follow AHF on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor