Paballo Chauke is a training coordinator. His truly global approach to fighting malaria sees him working with scientists from 40 mostly malaria-endemic countries. Together, they work to understand the genetic variation of mosquitoes and their parasites and ultimately come up with better ways to control malaria.

Paballo is passionate about a malaria-free future for Africa, and his pride in his heritage inspires his work. “I’m from South Africa and I’m proudly African – Africa suffers the most from malaria, we bear the brunt of the disease as well as the deaths,” says Paballo, “Over 90% of deaths come from Africa, and I think as an African I want to see some change.”

Paballo joins the fleet of Zero Malaria champions whose work is directly impacting the fight against malaria and who feature in the newest Draw The Line Against Malaria campaign film. 

“It affects our economy, it affects our schoolchildren,” Paballo says, “Most of the people that are dying from malaria are actually children under 5 and I think that needs to change.”

As the next generation of leaders and changemakers, young people are key to ending malaria. “To young people out there, I just want to say that we are the generation that will end malaria for good,” says Paballo, urging youth to take social action. “Go on social media, pressure your local leaders, your counsellors, your presidents, to put the resources and funds towards fighting malaria.”

So, what will it take to end malaria in our lifetime? “Malaria is curable, it’s preventable, it’s treatable – but we need the political will. We need funding,” explains Paballo, “If we can garner resources and encourage political leaders across the world, particularly in Africa, to take malaria seriously and actually put the money into fighting malaria, we can eliminate malaria in our lifetime.”

If Paballo had one message he could get to leaders, it’s to invest in the Global Fund, which is due for replenishment in September . “We have the Global Fund, which has saved millions of lives across the world. I think we do need to replenish that fund, because it’s quite key in ending malaria.”

Our vision of a Zero Malaria future starts today, with us all. Join Paballo and Draw The Line Against Malaria.