The Federation was formed from an amalgamation of existing societies representing infectious diseases. In 2020, Federation member societies include the Infectious Diseases Society of Southern Africa (IDSSA), Infection Control Society of South Africa (ICSSA), South African Society for Clinical Microbiology (SASCM) and Southern African Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (SASPID). The societies maintain their individual areas of expertise and identities yet share administrative support.

Benefits of the Federation include a single journal (SAJID) and joint biennial conferences to facilitate scientific and professional interaction. Furthermore, the Federation has a responsibility to guide appropriate treatment of infectious diseases by publishing guidelines.