​​The Johannesburg Aids Council (JAC) held its quarterly meeting at the Connie Bapela Council Chambers in Braamfontein on 08 October 2025. It reaffirmed the City’s commitment to working with civil society in reducing HIV infections and strengthening access to treatment and care.

The session was attended by Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero, alongside members of the Joburg Civil Society Forum, which includes representatives from youth, women, faith-based, business, and research organisations.

Cllr Morero commended the collaborative spirit shown since the Council’s relaunch in May 2025, noting tangible progress in community outreach. “I am encouraged by the commitment shown by civil society in partnering with the City to ensure the reduction of HIV and Aids. Together, we can make meaningful strides in saving lives and restoring hope.”

Since its relaunch, the JAC has spearheaded two major HIV/Aids awareness activations — one at Maponya Mall and another at Jabulani Amphitheatre — focusing on HIV testing, PrEP initiation, and broader health screenings. Residents were also offered prostate cancer, TB, blood pressure, and STI testing. These initiatives aim to reduce stigma and increase the number of people accessing HIV treatment.

The Joburg Civil Society Forum has further supported the City’s efforts through door-to-door education drives, ward-based awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and workshops tackling stigma and discrimination.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. South Africa faces a gap of approximately 1.1 million individuals who are either not linked to HIV care or have disengaged from treatment. Within Gauteng, an estimated 326 346 people fall within this gap, of whom 141 215 are from the Johannesburg district.

Written by Ayanda Radebe