KwaZulu Natal Launches its TB Caucus
– Nelson Dlamini
The KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Legislature held a launch of its provincial TB Caucus at a community event in Greater Kokstad Local Municipality on 01 September 2023.
The province was intentional in adopting a people-centred approach for their launch – the Caucus is an initiative for parliamentarians and is usually launched in parliamentary settings, KZN however, decided to take parliament to the people. Furthermore, members of parliaments who’ve joined the Caucus were asked to recite the Barcelona Declaration oath-style in full view of the public. This was to demonstrate commitment and entrench a sense of accountability.
Political leadership in the fight against TB remains key for the country to meet commitments to ending TB by 2030. The TB caucus is a unique initiative designed to hold government accountable. It was found in 2014, by a United Kingdom MP, Hon. Nick Herbert and South Africa’s very own Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, who was the then Minister of Health (now Home Affairs).
The event was also attended by AmaZulu Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Nhlanganiso kaZwelithini who has been a National TB Ambassador for several years. The prince lost one of his lungs to TB and has since dedicated his life to creating awareness of the disease, especially the fact that it can affect anyone, Royalty or not.
Speaking at the launch, SANAC’s Dr. Nkhensani Nkhwashu said, “The TB caucus remains a critical vehicle through which we can drive policy change and advocate for TB resources, especially for community-centred interventions. Once the Caucuses have been established, the provinces need to mobilise resources to drive the work of the caucus.”
Members of the TB caucus work collectively and individually to advocate for TB response at provincial, national, regional, and global level. They adhere to the principles outlined in the founding document, the Barcelona Declaration. Members engage with civil society and all
other related stakeholders involved in the fight against TB; to confront stigma, determinants of TB and all other social determinants associated.
The Speaker of the KZN Legislature and Chair of the newly established provincial TB Caucus, Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, sang praises to SANAC for its work in assisting the province to establish the Caucus.
The launch was truly a community-centred event that included health and other government services such as Home Affairs, which was greatly appreciated by the community of Bhongweni in Kokstad, a rather remote part of KwaZulu Natal where some services are generally difficult to access.
