By Mbulawa Mugabe, UNAIDS Country Director for South Africa
It is with great sadness that I received the news that the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Geoffrey Makhubo, passed away on 9 July 2021.
Having served in various senior positions in the Johannesburg Council and as the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Mr Makhubo was appointed Johannesburg Executive Mayor in December 2019, a position that he served with commitment and dedication.
Mr Makhubo was a strong advocate in the response to HIV, and on World AIDS Day 2020 he urged communities to work together to end HIV-related stigma. UNAIDS is grateful for his leadership and commitment to public health and to the HIV response, and for his unwavering support for the Fast-Track cities initiative. Given his commitment to the urban health agenda, Mr Makhubo addressed the global Fast-Track cities conference in 2020 and was a panellist at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on AIDS Fast-Track cities side event in June 2021.
His death is a deep loss for the HIV community and the citizens of Johannesburg.
Mr Makhubo died from COVID-19 complications, following a positive test result in late June.
We extend our sincere condolences to Mr Makhubo's colleagues, family and friends, and to the city of Johannesburg.
