Zackie Achmat is a South African activist, educator, and filmmaker renowned for his unwavering commitment to social justice, public health, and human rights. Born in Johannesburg and raised in Cape Town, Zackie has spent over four decades championing the rights of marginalized communities—especially in the areas of HIV/AIDS treatment, LGBTQ+ equality, and democratic accountability.

He co-founded the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) in 1998, a movement that transformed public health policy in South Africa and globally by advocating for access to antiretroviral medication. Through the TAC, Zackie helped lead one of the most successful grassroots health campaigns in the world, saving countless lives and setting a precedent for health activism.

Zackie's activism is grounded in his own experiences as a person living with HIV and shaped by a lifelong dedication to political education and grassroots organizing. He has also been a key figure in struggles for housing, quality public services, and ethical governance, co-founding organizations such as Ndifuna Ukwazi, Peoples Legal Centre, and Reclaim the City.