A fascinating interview with the South African Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, by Business Day has shed more light on the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) policy to provide mandatory insurance for all South Africans, rather than the mere 16% covered today. Oddly, Motsoaledi criticised his ministry’s own December 2015 white paper which envisaged private insurers evolving into little more than complementary payors. Instead, he expressly confirmed that this will not happen. The interview also reveals further details of the timetable, funding and plans for low-cost medical schemes.