Soul City Institute’s Bold Move to “Close the Gap” in HIV Services for South African Youth

Soul City Institute’s Bold Move to “Close the Gap” in HIV Services for South African Youth

From April to June, Soul City Institute and other key partners supported by National Department of Health (NDOH) will soon roll out a series of dynamic, youth-focused activities across South Africa in support of the national “Close the Gap” campaign.
Soul City Institute’s Bold Move to “Close the Gap” in HIV Services for South African Youth

Led by the NDoH, this campaign aims to reduce new HIV infections and improve health outcomes among young people aged 15–24—a group disproportionately affected by HIV. The goal is to close the gap between those who need HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care, support and those who currently access these life-saving services.

The campaign seeks to reach over 1.1 million young people in South Africa who are eligible for HIV treatment or prevention services but have yet to access them. Through bold youth engagement, community mobilisation, and strong partnerships with civil society organisations, “Close the Gap” promotes safer sexual behaviour, increases awareness, and ensures access to youth-friendly healthcare services.

Key Objectives

  • Increase HIV testing, treatment adherence, and prevention uptake.
  • Address barriers to healthcare access for young people.
  • Mobilise communities to support HIV-related youth health initiatives.
  • Support social and behaviour change through relevant, youth-centred messaging.
  • Increase awareness in HIV treatment, care, support, adherence and linking them to services through our partners.
  • Facilitate social mobilisation and advocacy to support prevention and adherence through relevant messages in line with the 1.1 million close the gap campaign.
  • Linking young people to access HIV services through localised, youth-friendly service platforms.
  • Generate community-driven responses to improve service uptake.

This campaign aligns with the First Things First strategy and leverages existing platforms such as schools, tertiary institutions, and community gatherings to intensify service delivery and advocacy. I am not sure why we are not also targeting the workplace especially where there is youth (just me asking), we can think this through.

As one of the leading partner organisations, Soul City Institute will support the national 1.1 million Gap initiative by mobilising youth and communities in key HIV hotspots across South Africa from April to June 2025.

We aim to promote HIV awareness, testing, prevention, and adherence among youth aged 15–24 through dialogues, youth engagement sessions, and awareness campaigns.

The campaign will focus on high-burden districts in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape, with a target reach of 10,000 and linking at least 1,000 young people to HIV services. It will also promote community-led solutions and youth-driven advocacy to improve service uptake and sustain HIV prevention efforts.

Our focus areas, will be Limpopo: Vhembe, Mopani, Mpumalanga: Ehlanzeni, Nkangala, Gert Sibande, Gauteng: City of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, West Rand and Sedibeng, City of Tshwane and Eastern Cape: OR Tambo.

Our work from April to June will include

  • Youth Engagement Sessions
  • Awareness Campaigns
  • Community dialogues
  • Youth Zone Activations

These activities will be implemented in line with the national Close the Gap campaign, with a target reach of 10,000 young people, and the ambition to link at least 1,000 youth to essential HIV services.Through community-led approaches and youth-centered advocacy, we are committed to sustaining HIV prevention efforts and ensuring that no young person is left behind. This is your time to show up, learn, and lead. Let’s Close the Gap—together.

For interview opportunities or additional information, please contact:
Zandi Mancotywa
Grant Implementation Manager
Email: zandie@soulcity.org.za

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