About tac

Sibongile Tshabalala is openly living with HIV and a committed TAC activist. She joined TAC in 2009 in Vosloorus Branch in Gauteng, later becoming Gauteng Provincial Chairperson. In 2014 she became the National Deputy General Secretary and since 2017 she has been the National Chairperson of TAC. “I grew up in TAC. I can say that I am the person I am today because of TAC and I am alive today because of TAC. I have been living with HIV for 23 years and I became a TAC member in 2009 in Gauteng. I remember that before that time I had seen how hard TAC had fought for things like the rights of pregnant women who were HIV positive to get nevirapine so that their babies had a chance to be born free of getting HIV. It was this fight that inspired me and it’s the same fight that has inspired me all these years. I never forget that when I started in TAC I was also just another member in the community. But as I grew with TAC, TAC helped me find my voice and helped me use my voice to speak up for people. And this is what we must be building in our communities. Today anywhere I go in the world as TAC’s National Chairperson I see the power of TAC. We are an organisation that has earned our outstanding reputation from every member that has stood firm to the values of our organisation. And it’s because of these members that wherever I go, whoever I am speaking to, when I see my name next to the three letters: T.A.C, I stand proud.”

Anele Yawa is a social justice activist who joined TAC in 2002 in KwaNobuhle branch in the Eastern Cape. TAC has been his school. He went from being a member, to Branch Chairperson, to District Coordinator, to Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson, to Deputy National Chairperson, to holding the position of General Secretary for the last 13 years. TAC has taught Anele how to become a leader who is empowered with many tools to stand up and to fight when he sees that the living conditions of people need to improve. He knows that we have to do this for ourselves, because no-one else is going to do it for us. At the 25th anniversary of TAC Anele said: “We must keep on pushing. We must fight and fight until the bitter end. Life goes on and the struggle continues. This is the fight of our lives.” Anele was instrumental in the development and implementation of Ritshidze – the world’s largest community-led monitoring programme – acting as Chief Accounting Officer. Outside of TAC Anele previously worked in the Eastern Cape Nelson Mandela Metro as a Councillor. Anele serves on various Boards, Forums, and Working Groups in his capacity as the General Secretary including the PLHIV Sector at SANAC, the TB Task Team, the DMOC working group, the Office of Health Standards and Compliance (OHSC), CQUIN and many more.

Thembisile Nogampula has been a dedicated activist and community leader since joining the TAC in 2005. His first involvement began in KwaNobuhle branch, where he served as Branch Secretary, later becoming Branch Chairperson. He also worked as a Branch Organiser while employed as a staff member, but made the difficult decision to resign from his staff position in order to fully commit himself to advocacy work without limitations. Despite stepping away from employment, he remained a loyal and active member of the movement. His leadership journey continued to grow as he was elected Eastern Cape Provincial Deputy Chairperson in 2016, and later served as Acting Provincial Chairperson in 2019 until the Provincial Congress. In 2025, he was elected National Deputy Chairperson of TAC, a position he continues to hold, demonstrating his consistent commitment to the principles and values of the organisation. Thembisile was drawn to TAC because of its unwavering fight for access to healthcare, particularly for marginalised communities most affected by TB, HIV, and inequality in public healthcare institutions. His activism was shaped by witnessing the stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV – from being isolated in healthcare settings to facing breaches of dignity and confidentiality. Seeing how treatment access was won through struggle strengthened his belief in collective action and human rights. He strongly believes that TAC is a human rights movement open to all – whether living with HIV or affected through family and community. This understanding has made him firm in his principles, and he remains committed to advocating until every person has equal access to treatment, dignity, and healthcare services, and until a cure for HIV is found. Thembisile also emphasises that TAC’s work extends beyond HIV and TB. As a broader human rights organisation, TAC advocates for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, sex workers, and people who use drugs, especially ensuring access to appropriate healthcare needs such as lubricants, dental dams, cotton swabs, condoms, and respectful, confidential treatment. He continues to uphold the belief that access to healthcare is not a favour, but a Constitutional right protected under the Constitution of South Africa, and remains steadfast in ensuring that right is realised for all.

Lebohang Mokhele joined TAC in 2009, driven by personal loss and lived experience. After losing someone close to her to HIV-related illness, and later learning of her own HIV-positive status, she found purpose in standing up for the rights, dignity, and health of communities affected by HIV. Her activism began at TAC, where she served two terms as the Boitumelo Branch Women Sector Representative before taking on the role of Branch PLHIV Sector Representative. Through these positions, she worked closely with communities to raise awareness, support treatment access, and mobilise collective action around health rights. At provincial level in Gauteng, she served as Women’s Sector Representative, championing women’s health, gender justice, and stronger community responses to HIV. Her leadership and dedication led to her co-option as the National Youth Sector Representative, where she advocated for youth voices and participation in health and social justice spaces. Lebohang currently serves as the National PLHIV Sector Representative at TAC. In this role, she continues to amplify the voices of people living with HIV, strengthen accountability in the healthcare system, and challenge stigma, discrimination, and inequality. Her commitment is grounded in the belief that no one should die from a treatable illness because of where they live or who they are.

Mandisa Masina joined TAC in 2016 in Nhlazatshe Branch in Mpumalanga, driven by a commitment to human rights, health justice, and the dignity of people who use drugs, sex workers, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Their decision to join TAC came from recognising the organisation’s strong advocacy for equitable healthcare and its work to protect vulnerable communities from stigma, discrimination, and poor treatment in healthcare facilities. Since joining, Mandisa has served in key leadership roles within TAC, first as Branch Secretary and later as Branch Chairperson. Currently, Mandisa serves as the National Key Populations Sector Representative, championing the rights and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ communities, people who use drugs, and sex workers within the movement. As an openly LGBTQIA+ activist and key populations advocate, Mandisa has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of TAC. The organisation’s role in expanding access to ARVs, exposing medicine stockouts, and challenging healthcare inequalities has saved millions of lives in South Africa and beyond. For Mandisa, TAC is not only an organisation, but a lifesaving movement that changed their own life and the lives of many in their community. Mandisa has remained committed to TAC because of its historic role in reducing HIV stigma, protecting the rights of people living with HIV, and holding pharmaceutical companies and government accountable. Through TAC’s activism, countless people are now able to disclose their HIV status openly and access treatment without fear of discrimination. Beyond organisational leadership, Mandisa is a dynamic and outspoken human rights advocate who continuously mobilises communities to take up ARVs, report health system failures, and defend healthcare rights. They also serve as a peer educator within another local organisation focused on advancing healthcare access and rights in communities and health facilities.

Reen Ndlovu joined TAC in 2015 in Homu Branch, in Limpopo. He was elected as the Limpopo Provincial Youth Sector representative, and later in 2018 as the National Youth Sector representative. Through these roles he has advocated for young people to get access to quality and dignified healthcare. Reen joined TAC to expand his knowledge on health and HIV issues, knowing the role of TAC in providing quality treatment literacy information and acting as a school. Outside of TAC Reen acts as a Youth Communications Officer in Giyani.

Akhona Ntsaluba is a dedicated activist and community leader from TAC Ezibeleni Branch in Queenstown. She joined TAC in 2002 after being diagnosed with HIV. Since then, she has committed her life to advocacy, social justice, and improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable communities. Through her journey in TAC, Akhona has held several leadership positions, including Youth Sector Representative at branch level in 2003, LGBTQIA+ Sector Representative at branch level in 2010, Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary in 2019, and she currently serves as the National Women Sector Representative. An openly HIV-positive lesbian activist, Akhona has been living with an undetectable viral load since starting ARVs on 10 December 2003. She is passionate about fighting for the rights of people, particularly women, children, and LGBTQIA+ communities, and strongly believes in equality, dignity, and freedom from gender-based violence. Her activism focuses on advocating for equitable access to healthcare services, including HIV, TB, STI, and cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and care. Akhona also acted as a staff member in Ritshidze, supporting community-led monitoring and in particular the key population programme. Currently, Akhona is part of the Eastern Cape Health Crisis Action Coalition (ECHCAC), where she supports advocacy efforts alongside SECTION27 on issues including abortion rights, emergency medical services (EMS), healthcare budgeting, climate change, and broader health justice campaigns.

Solanga Milambo is a committed activist and community leader from TAC Homu Branch in Limpopo. He joined TAC in 2004. Since joining, he has served in several leadership positions including Mopani District Treasurer, Limpopo Provincial Secretary, Limpopo Provincial Chairperson, and currently the National Men’s Sector Representative. His journey with TAC began from a deep desire to understand the realities of HIV and AIDS at a time when the issue was still heavily stigmatised and considered taboo in many communities. As a respected leader in his community, Solanga used his position and community work to educate and engage people on HIV awareness and treatment literacy. His dedication contributed significantly to the establishment and growth of TAC branches across Limpopo. In 2005, Solanga made the life-changing decision to leave his employment and dedicate himself fully as a volunteer for TAC. Through the organisation, he attended extensive treatment literacy training, became a Treatment Literacy Practitioner, and later served as a provincial trainer for TAC in Limpopo. His work empowered many community members to access information, testing, treatment, and support. Although not living with HIV himself, Solanga describes himself as “affected” because of his close work and support for people living with HIV. Through education, counselling, and treatment literacy, many individuals were encouraged to know their status and access care. His activism extends beyond TAC, having also served as the Civil Society Forum Chairperson in Limpopo. He currently serves as the Provincial Law and Human Rights Sector Chairperson at SECTION27. Solanga remains an active and passionate member of TAC because he believes strongly in the organisation’s vision and continued role in advancing health rights, dignity, equality, and access to healthcare services. As National Men Sector Representative, he aims to strengthen advocacy efforts, promote human rights, and use his leadership platforms and experience to advance the mission and objectives of TAC.