The infamous Donald Trump administration has finally made it into office, and in the short space of eight days that he has been in power, he has revealed that all that glitters might not be gold in mzansi as NGOs immediately bear the consequences of the pause of USAID spending in America.
In his attempt to ‘make America great again’, the 45th and 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump, has made it clear that he and his government will no longer “blindly dole out money” to other countries if it bares no return for America and its people.
“Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, Secretary Rubio has paused all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for review,” says the United States Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Now let me tell you, sitting all the way in South Africa will or have been affected by this ‘rash’ decision by a president that isn’t even yours. So, as it appears, South Africa, particularly the healthcare system, has been more heavily dependent on U.S. assistance than the average South African is aware of. This has been evident in the numerous non-state-funded organisations suspending some of their services due to a lack of resources and funding.
USAid cuts funding, instantly halting crucial healthcare projects in South Africa, negatively affecting millions of people who need healthcare. Devastating pic.twitter.com/kyBrjfrO6x
— Dan Corder ? (@DanCorderOnAir) January 27, 2025
With South Africa’s PEPFAR receiving the largest share of the United States’ HIV funding globally, this could only be the beginning of a horrible domino effect in the healthcare system. Some internet users have predicted an eminent spike in the HIV + rates for the foreseeable future
I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the next few months, we see a spike in new HIV infections. That’s thanks to Trumps order that USAid immediately stops funding. Lots of organisations that do free HIV testing, prevention and treatment stopped working today.
— Mbekezeli (@MbekezeliMB) January 27, 2025
On the other hand, other citizens have raised the fact this whole situation has revealed the need for the government to make better use of the already exorbitant taxes that the workforce is subjected to. According to these users, mzansi is a much too prideful country, with too much potential and merely needs a wake up call before it is too late.
Time for Rama and friends to stop looting and use funds for what they’re supposed to. Why were clinics being funded by USAID? Why are we not manufacturing our own ARVs after ALL these years? https://t.co/KWUJWHJ9M2
— lioness of judah ? (@blaqfli) January 27, 2025
President Trump is good for his country,he is doing the best for his country
Getting angry at him because of suspending USAID instead of holding your leaders accountable for failing to prioritize and develop sustainable health systems,that’s on you and your leaders. https://t.co/MniPGv3gFS
— Jok (@Junnubi) January 28, 2025
Also see: The AFCON stage is set! Bafana Bafana placed in the group of death?
