South Africa plays a key role in the EU-funded REACT project, serving both as a testing ground and a model for managing invasive fruit flies. With regions facing different levels of infestation by Bactrocera dorsalis, the country offers vital insights into containment and eradication strategies. REACT develops the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), an environmentally friendly approach that suppresses pest populations through sterile male releases. Beyond technology, the project focuses on economic and social acceptance, involving farmers and industry stakeholders through workshops led by Citrus Research International. Lessons learned in South Africa will shape fruit fly management across Europe, showing how science and practice can unite against a global agricultural threat.