It is with a heavy heart that NCD Alliance gives this homage to Vicki Pinkney Atkinson, Director of South Africa NCD Alliance, who recently passed away. Vicki’s passion, integrity and uncompromising dedication to doing the right thing made her a true force of nature and recognised leader amongst our community.

Those who knew her will remember her fondly as an outspoken NCD advocate, who called tirelessly for systemic change rooted in social justice and human rights. She was tireless in advocating for equitable healthcare access for people living with NCDs in South Africa and around the world.

Vicki was instrumental to NCDA’s own journey promoting meaningful involvement of people living with NCDs, community engagement, and work supporting country efforts on accountability.

Vicki would always sign off her emails with A luta continua, The NCD struggle continues. She was and will remain in our hearts and minds. The NCD movement will be left richer for all of Vicki’s contributions. We are forever grateful for the wisdom she so generously shared and for her truly impactful contributions for the rights and health of people living with NCDs everywhere. Thank you, Vicki. We offer our deepest condolences to Vicki’s family, friends and colleagues.

Care Starts with a Community mini-film is one example of the giant work she was doing.