UNAIDS head Winnie Byanyima joins Redi Tlhabi to unpack HIV funding, health justice, and democracy under threat. From South Africa to the UN, she reveals what it takes to lead—and why the world must act now. A bold, urgent conversation on rights, resistance, and real change. 

Read more about the report, "UNAids HIV/Aids report calls for ‘global solidarity’ in face of mass funding cuts": https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-10-unaids-hiv-aids-report-calls-for-global-solidarity-in-face-of-mass-funding-cuts/ 

"The UNAids Global Aids Update 2025, launched on 10 July, shows ‘remarkable achievements’ in the worldwide effort to combat HIV/Aids. However, because of the cut in USAid funding, there could be an additional six million HIV infections and an additional four million Aids-related deaths by 2029." 

01:21 State of Global HIV/AIDS Funding 
04:01 Impact of Funding Cuts 
05:42 Global Backlash Against Rights 
06:37 Positive Developments Amidst Challenges 
07:24 The Importance of Global Solidarity 
08:38 Success Stories in the HIV Response 
11:10 South Africa's Role in HIV Research 
14:05 Global Financial Imbalances 
14:42 Reforming Global Financial Institutions 
19:36 Personal and Political Struggles in Uganda 
23:28 The Fight for Equality and Democracy 

Produced by Emilie Gambade & Bernard Kotze 

You can listen to the podcast everywhere, including Spotify! 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/