Despite being both preventable and curable, tuberculosis (TB) remains South Africa’s leading cause of death — claiming around 56,000 lives each year. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) South Africa is calling on young people to break the silence, get tested early, and help end the stigma that keeps many from seeking treatment.

According to the World Health Organization, South Africa recorded an incidence rate of 427 cases per 100,000 people in 2023. More than 270,000 new infections are diagnosed annually, including among children and young adults.

“People are still scared to talk about TB, but it is not a death sentence,” says Dr Kgomotso Thipe, Gauteng Provincial Medical Manager for AHF South Africa. “Awareness, early screening, and community support can save lives.”

TB spreads through the air when someone with the disease coughs, sneezes, or even laughs in a closed space. Early symptoms include a persistent cough, fatigue, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.

AHF South Africa is working with government departments to fight stigma and expand access to care — including food support, transport help, and follow-up calls for patients.

“Yes, we can end TB,” says Dr Thipe. “But only if we treat it like the emergency it is.”