The year 2019 marked twenty-five years since South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy), and the annual PHASA Conference was held during 16-18 September 2019, in Athlone, City of Cape Town, Western Cape Province, with the conference theme: “The Right to Health – 25 years into our Constitutional Democracy”.

Th 2019 PHASA conference reflected on the democratic journey to date, reviewed the achievements and challenges experienced, and actions needed to address these challenges to achieve the targets of the National Development Plan, achieve equity within universal health coverage and the global Sustainable Developmental Goals by 2030. Through this conference and its other activities, the association is working to increase recognition of the importance of maintaining and improving the health of populations by 2030 that is based on the principles of social justice, human rights, equity, evidence-informed policy and practice, and addressing the underlying determinants of health.