Despite a substantial decline in childhood mortality rates in South Africa (SA), progress in neonatal mortality reduction has been much slower. Severe bacterial infections remain a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and a direct cause of 13.1% of neonatal deaths among babies >1 kg. The incidence of hospital-acquired infections, antimicrobial resistance and outbreaks of infections in SA neonatal units is substantial, and is possibly higher than the currently available estimates. The SA Neonatal Sepsis Task Force was launched in Port Elizabeth, SA, on 13 September 2019 to provide technical advice and guidance on surveillance for neonatal sepsis, infection prevention, case management, antimicrobial stewardship and containment of neonatal unit outbreaks.