Bonang Matheba, South African presenter, actress and broadcaster, is excited about the progress being made in Africa towards ending malaria. "We know this is a winnable fight – my home country South Africa is edging ever closer to eliminating this preventable disease."

In 2021, South Africa was one of few malaria-endemic countries that managed to fight COVID-related disruption to continue driving down malaria, with its eyes set firmly on the prize of elimination.

Bonang joins Zero Malaria as an ambassador alongside stars and champions from across the continent, calling for renewed investment and commitment to end the disease that claimed over 600,000 lives in 2021.

On the set of the latest Draw The Line Against Malaria film, Bonang sat down with malaria champion Paballo Chauke, a scientist and fellow South African, to talk about why she’s joined the movement. "I use my voice to fight for young girls and children – in Africa and all around the world – and I believe fighting malaria is a vital part of doing this."

Increased youth awareness on the impact of malaria on livelihoods and opportunities is turning up the pressure for leaders to act.

If Bonang could speak directly to world leaders, she’d urge them to listen to the voices of young people calling for change. "I’m very honoured to be a voice for malaria especially at a very vital time like this – just before the Global Fund replenishment,” says Bonang, “I would say to them, listen to the youth, they know exactly what they want, they know exactly what is needed, I think they are very passionate about it."

"Supporting this campaign is about creating an African future free of malaria. I’m passionate about raising up and enabling the leaders of tomorrow, especially young people across Africa whose futures have been held back by malaria."

Join Bonang today and Draw The Line Against Malaria – we are the generation that can end this for good.