By Pitso Molemane
South Africa can no longer afford to be passive in the fight against diabetes. The disease has become the country’s leading natural cause of death, claiming more lives than HIV, tuberculosis and cancer.
Health experts are sounding the alarm, warning that diabetes is no longer a “silent killer” but a growing national crisis that affects entire families and communities. While the disease can be managed successfully, failure to act early often results in severe complications and preventable deaths.
According to mortality data from Statistics South Africa, diabetes claims the lives of 27,692 people every year — an average of 78 deaths every day. The alarming figures have prompted the Diabetes Alliance to write to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, calling for diabetes to be declared a national health emergency.
“If we don’t act now, we will lose more people due to a disease which can be treated to avoid fatalities,” said Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Global Health Expert and Chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance.
“Millions of South Africans are living with diabetes. If we don’t take an immediate action, we will see more loved ones dying to a condition that can be successfully managed, treated or delayed.”
To combat the crisis, the Diabetes Alliance and other civil society organisations are calling for comprehensive action, including earlier diagnoses, stronger prevention programmes, improved access to healthcare, greater collaboration across sectors, community mobilisation and stronger political leadership.
Experts emphasise that diabetes management should not rest solely on the shoulders of those diagnosed with the disease. Family members play a critical role in helping loved ones maintain stable blood sugar levels and avoid complications.
People living with diabetes face daily challenges that can often feel overwhelming. Families can offer meaningful support by adopting healthier lifestyles together, including eating low-glycaemic index (GI), fibre-rich meals and participating in regular physical activity such as a daily 30-minute walk.
Emotional support is equally important. Simply listening to a loved one’s frustrations without judgement can help prevent what healthcare professionals refer to as “diabetes burnout” — the emotional exhaustion that often accompanies long-term disease management.
One of the greatest challenges in tackling diabetes is that many people are unaware they have the condition. The early stages frequently show few or no symptoms, allowing the disease to quietly damage vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and eyes. By the time serious complications such as stroke, kidney failure or vision loss emerge, the risks to a patient’s health and survival are significantly greater.
Dr Piotie said South Africa’s response to diabetes remains critically under-resourced and overlooked.
“The country lacks both a national diabetes registry and the coordinated, nationwide mobilisation that was previously seen in the fight against HIV,” he said.
“This leaves a major blind spot in the health system, making it difficult to track who has been diagnosed, who is receiving treatment and who has their condition under control.”
As diabetes continues to claim tens of thousands of lives annually, health advocates warn that urgent action is needed from government, healthcare providers, communities and families alike. Without a coordinated national response, the burden of the disease is likely to grow, placing even greater strain on households and the country’s healthcare system.
*Molemane is a Senior Journalist at Kaya FM and the winner of the 2025 Merck Foundation Diabetes and Hypertension Award for the SADC region.
