UNAIDS, the Southern African Development Community (SADC),  the South Africa National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII) have brought together the Government of South Africa, the Government of China, Chinese pharmaceutical companies and regional and global partners in a major new collaboration to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing across Southern Africa.  The groups facilitated a five-day exchange exploring how African manufacturing capacity can be strengthened. To find out more Bongiwe Zwame spoke to Dr Thembisile Xulu, Outgoing CEO of SANAC and Incoming Director-General of the Department of Health.