Ekurhuleni Embraces New HIV Prevention Injection as Communities Hope for AIDS-Free Future

NTOMBI NKOSI|June 12, 2026

The City of Ekurhuleni has welcomed the rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection that offers up to six months of protection against HIV with a single dose, providing a convenient alternative to daily oral prevention medication. Photo: City of Ekurhuleni

For decades, South Africans have lived with the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, a disease that has claimed millions of lives, torn families apart and left communities grappling with stigma and loss. Now, health authorities believe a groundbreaking new prevention tool could help turn the tide in the fight against the epidemic.

The City of Ekurhuleni has welcomed the rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection that is now available at selected public healthcare facilities across the metro. The injection offers up to six months of protection against HIV with a single dose, providing a convenient alternative to daily oral prevention medication.

For many residents, particularly young people, women and vulnerable groups who face challenges in consistently taking daily medication, the introduction of Lenacapavir represents more than a medical breakthrough – it offers renewed hope.

City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the availability of the injection demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to improving public health and reducing new HIV infections.

“The introduction of Lenacapavir at selected clinics is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen HIV prevention programmes. This innovative intervention gives residents another effective option to protect themselves against HIV and supports our goal of building healthier communities,” Dlamini said.

Residents wishing to access the injection must first undergo an HIV test to confirm that they are HIV-negative before commencing treatment.

The rollout comes at a critical time for South Africa, which continues to carry one of the world’s largest HIV burdens. According to recent estimates, more than 8 million South Africans are living with HIV. Despite significant progress in treatment and prevention, thousands of new infections are still recorded every year, particularly among young women and adolescent girls.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly highlighted the importance of expanding HIV prevention options. During his 2026 State of the Nation Address, he announced government’s plans for a large-scale rollout of Lenacapavir as part of efforts to reduce new infections and ultimately eliminate HIV as a public health threat.

Earlier this month, Ramaphosa officially launched the national rollout of Lenacapavir in Secunda, Mpumalanga, describing the injection as one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy.

“A single injection administered twice a year can provide powerful protection against HIV infection,” Ramaphosa said at the launch, adding that the intervention has the potential to transform lives by reducing barriers to prevention and expanding access to care.

Health experts have hailed Lenacapavir as a game-changer. Clinical studies have shown the injection to be nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV infection when administered correctly, leading some experts to describe it as the closest thing currently available to an HIV vaccine.

The Ekurhuleni rollout forms part of broader national efforts that include widespread HIV testing, access to antiretroviral treatment, condom distribution, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), voluntary medical male circumcision and community awareness campaigns.

Progress has been substantial. Millions of South Africans are receiving life-saving antiretroviral treatment, helping people with HIV live longer and healthier lives while reducing transmission rates. However, health officials warn that prevention efforts remain essential, particularly amid global funding pressures affecting HIV programmes.

Across Ekurhuleni, Lenacapavir is now available at dozens of facilities, including clinics in Thokoza, Thembisa, Vosloorus, Katlehong, Daveyton, Springs, Kwa-Thema, Germiston and Boksburg.

For residents who have witnessed the devastating impact of HIV within their families and communities, the arrival of the injection offers something that statistics alone cannot measure: hope.

As South Africa continues its journey towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, healthcare workers say every new infection prevented brings the country one step closer to a healthier future – and Lenacapavir may prove to be one of the most powerful tools yet in achieving that goal.

Lenacapavir is currently available at the following facilities: