South Africa has officially rolled out Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection described by Deputy President Paul Mashatile as a major milestone and one of the most significant scientific advances in HIV prevention in recent years. The injection can be used as pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of HIV infection in HIV-negative people and offers six months of protection per dose, meaning it is administered only twice a year instead of requiring daily tablets or more frequent clinic visits. Government says the breakthrough will only change lives if it is backed by access, affordability, public trust and effective implementation, including awareness campaigns, healthcare worker training, reliable supply chains, sustainable financing and strong community mobilisation. The rollout is especially important for South Africa, where adolescent girls and young women continue to carry a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections, and where stigma, gender-based violence, clinic access and economic vulnerability remain closely linked to HIV risk. While Lenacapavir is not a cure and must form part of a broader HIV prevention strategy that includes testing, education, condoms, treatment access and community support, its arrival signals a hopeful new chapter: HIV prevention that is easier, longer lasting and better suited to real life.
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