KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane has cautioned the public against engaging in risky sexual behaviour amid the roll-out of the bi-annual HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir.

Simelane said Lenacapavir gives people an additional, powerful option to protect themselves against HIV, especially those who struggle with taking pills every day.

“It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, and it does not prevent unplanned pregnancy. People must still use condoms, still act responsibly, and still protect themselves and their partners,” she said.

Lenacapavir, known colloquially as ‘uLena’, will be available as an injection at healthcare facilities in KZN in February 2026, Simelane said.

Patrick Mdletshe, head of CAPRISA Community Programmes and national deputy chairperson of the Treatment Action Campaign, said Lenacapavir offers renewed hope, but it must be used wisely.

“Lenacapavir is not a silver bullet. It is not a cure for HIV, and it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, or HPV. Without clear public education, there is a real danger that misinformation could lead to risky sexual behaviour and rising sexually transmitted infections (STI) rates, even as HIV infections decline,” Mdletshe said.

He noted that South Africa remains at the epicentre of the global HIV epidemic, with young women and adolescent girls bearing the greatest burden of new infections.

Despite decades of progress, structural inequality, gender-based violence, and limited access to prevention options still place young women at high risk, he said. 

Mdletshe stated that public education remains central, and young people must receive accurate, comprehensive sexuality education that enables them to make informed choices about their bodies and their futures. 

He added that prevention must be framed as a combination approach, and Lenacapavir alongside condoms, regular testing, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.

“We must also confront the deeper social issues driving the epidemic. Harmful gender norms, unequal power relations, and cultural practices that place young women at risk cannot be ignored.

“Biomedical tools will only succeed if accompanied by moral regeneration, community dialogue, and a collective commitment to protect the dignity and rights of young women,” he said.

Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable form of HIV prevention for HIV-negative people, and it has been described as “a powerful addition to South Africa’s HIV prevention toolkit”.

According to experts, its long duration makes it especially suitable for young women who struggle with daily oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) due to stigma, partner control, or unstable life circumstances. 

PrEP is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV-negative individuals take medication in the form of pills or injections to significantly lower their risk of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.

gcwalisile.khanyile@inl.co.za

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