The Amathole District Municipality has reaffirmed its commitment to ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 through the active leadership of its District AIDS Council (DAC). Chaired by Executive Mayor Councilor Anele Ntsangani, the council met at the Calgary Conference Center on 29 October to review progress, strengthen strategies, and align efforts with the national HIV/AIDS response plan.
What Happened?
The District AIDS Council meeting brought together key health stakeholders, including the Eastern Cape Department of Health and community organisations. Discussions focused on improving coordination, governance, and resource mobilization to support the National Strategic Plan (NSP).
Mayor Ntsangani elaborated that Amathole remains the only district in the Eastern Cape with a fully functional AIDS Council — a sign of strong commitment to tackling HIV, STIs, and TB.
Official Response
The Mayor expressed concern that the DAC’s work is often undervalued by certain political structures. He stressed that HIV prevention and treatment require collective political will and sustained community engagement.
He also confirmed that the District Development Model (DDM) had been amended to include Civil Society Forums within municipal structures, ensuring their programs are represented in Integrated Development Plans (IDPs).
On financial matters, Ntsangani noted that the DAC operates with limited funding, primarily used for coordination rather than direct interventions. Despite these challenges, the district continues to innovate through partnerships and advocacy.
Community Impact
The meeting was the introduction of the Tuberculosis Advocacy Committee (TBAC) by Zimbini Madikiza, TB Policy and Advocacy Officer. The committee aims to strengthen TB advocacy, treatment literacy, and community mobilization across the Amathole region.
The session also insisted the national “Close the Gap” HIV campaign, a R1.1 million initiative launched in February 2025. The campaign focuses on identifying and re-engaging 1.1 million people living with HIV who know their status but are not yet on treatment — a major driver of ongoing infections.
Through this program, Amathole hopes to contribute significantly to South Africa’s 95-95-95 targets:
- 95% of people living with HIV know their status
- 95% of those diagnosed on antiretroviral therapy (ART)
- 95% of those on treatment are achieving viral suppression
The Eastern Cape AIDS Council commended Amathole District for its leadership and consistency in maintaining an active, community-driven response to the epidemic.
