DSTI Director-General reflects on HIV research progress at CAPRISA annual meeting

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing health research and innovation following its participation in the CAPRISA Annual Research Meeting held at the Musgrave Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal.

Delivering a keynote address at the event, Dr Mlungisi Cele, Director-General of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, reflected on the trajectory of HIV research in South Africa, highlighting both the country’s scientific gains and the challenges that remain.

Dr Cele opened his remarks by paying tribute to Nelson Mandela and Nkosi Johnson, noting that their legacies continue to inspire the scientific and medical communities to pursue solutions with urgency and resolve.

He cited recent statistics indicating that more than eight million people in South Africa were living with HIV in 2025, with approximately 6.2 million receiving antiretroviral therapy. According to Dr Cele, these figures underscore significant progress in treatment access while also pointing to the need for sustained research and intervention efforts.

The Director-General commended the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) for its contributions to global and regional HIV research. He referenced landmark studies, including the CAPRISA 004 trial and the 002 longitudinal study, as examples of high-impact scientific work developed and executed within Africa.

Dr Cele emphasized that such research achievements align with South Africa’s Decadal Plan, which prioritizes the integration of scientific evidence with societal needs and policy development.

He further highlighted the importance of community engagement in research, stressing that treating clinical trial participants as partners rather than subjects strengthens trust and improves long-term outcomes. He linked this approach to the broader principle of ubuntu, which underscores collaboration, dignity, and shared progress.

Concluding his address, Dr Cele reiterated DSTI’s commitment to strengthening health sovereignty, supporting innovation-driven research, and fostering the next generation of African scientific leaders.