7 August 2026
Africa Centre
inaugural public lecture
Winnie Byanyima public lecture on ending inequality in global health
On 7 August 2026, the Africa Centre will host a public lecture and panel discussion in Stellenbosch about advancing equality in global health systems. Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, a UN under-scretary-general and a longstanding champion for equality and social justice in global public health, will deliver a lecture on “Choosing solidarity: What the Aids movement teaches us about ending inequality”. This will be followed by a panel discussion with representatives from different sectors.
In leading the UN’s efforts to end HIV/Aids as a public health threat by 2030, Winnie Byanyima has consistently argued that scientific progress alone cannot end the epidemic. The result is a global Aids response that puts human rights, gender equality, community leadership and equitable financing at the centre. This framework has informed a wider understanding of the structural determinants of health and initiated international discussions on pandemic preparedness, equitable access to medicines, sustainable health financing and community-led health systems.
Drawing from her strategic role in shaping the HIV/Aids response, Byanyima will share valuable lessons about how all stakeholders can work together to end inequality in support of stronger global health systems and improved, sustainable health outcomes.
The lecture will be preceded by high-level introductory addresses
Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University
Prof Reza Daniels, dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Munya Saruchera, director of the Africa Centre for Inclusive Health Management
Prof Morenike Folayan Ukpong from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria; Africa Centre board member
After the lecture, there will be an Q & A session as well as a panel discussion with representatives from various sectors, including civil society, scientific research, community and government.
Panellists
Mr James Kruger
Director, Khayelitsha Eastern Substructure, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellbeing
Ms Amelia Mfiki
Chairperson, SANAC Western Cape Civil Society Forum
Prof Munya Saruchera
Director, Africa Centre for Inclusive Health Management
Ms Sibongile Tshabalala
Chairperson, Treatment Action Campaign
Prof Wanga Zembe-Mkabile
Chief specialist scientist, South African Medical Research Council
Alignment with the Africa Centre’s mission
Byanyima’s work on HIV/Aids, health financing, equitable access to medicine, community leadership and pandemic/epidemic preparedness aligns closely with the Africa Centre’s mission of promoting inclusive leadership, stronger health systems and equitable access to quality healthcare across Africa.
At the heart of inclusive health management is the acknowledgement that effective health management extends beyond the health sector. Byanyima has shown that health outcomes are inseparable from social, economic and political conditions. She has demonstrated that disease, poverty and exclusion reinforce one another and that fiscal policy, tax justice and public finance are fundamental determinants of resilient health systems. Furthermore, Byanyima has proved the value that Africa can bring to the table, namely that African leadership can shape and influence international policy and strengthen global responses to shared challenges.
More about Winnie Byanyima
Throughout her career as an engineer, parliamentarian, diplomat, institution-builder and international development leader, Byanyima has demonstrated how evidence, innovation and principled leadership can be translated into policies and institutions that improve people’s lives. Her leadership across regional and global organisations has advanced understanding of the structural determinants of health; strengthened institutions at national, continental and global levels; influenced international policy on Aids, equitable access to medicines and health financing; and promoted approaches that place human rights, gender equality and community leadership at the centre of effective public health.
Recently, Byanyima served on the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality, established under the Presidency of South Africa in 2025. The committee’s landmark report, which proposes a new international framework for measuring and addressing inequality, was released in April. The framework includes establishing an International Panel on Inequality – Byanyima serves on the founding committee of the panel.
Other career highlights
- Co-founded the People’s Medicines Alliance: The alliance, founded on arguments against vaccine inequity during Covid-19, advocates for equitable access to medicines and continues to influence discussions on pandemic preparedness as well as pathogen access and benefit sharing.
- Founded the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) when working as a parliamentarian in Uganda: Under her leadership, FOWODE became one of Africa’s leading organisations promoting women’s political leadership, gender-responsive governance and gender budgeting.
- Established the Directorate of Gender and Development at the African Union Commission: The directorate created the first permanent institutional home for gender equality within the African Union.
- Instituted significant institutional reforms at Oxfam International: These reforms include increased investment in safeguarding and strengthening systems for reporting and accountability.
- Established the Global Council on Inequality, Aids and Pandemics: The council brings together leading thinkers from academia, government, civil society, international organisations and the creative arts to generated proposals that address the structural inequalities that drive pandemics.
- Contributed to numerous international commissions on development, inequality and global governance: Byanyima has consistently ensured that the perspectives of low- and middle-income countries, women and marginalised communities are represented in international decision-making. She has also served on advisory bodies to the G7, G20 and the World Bank.