Trump’s HIV/AIDS funding cuts: South Africa must ‘wake up’ -Health Minister

South Africa’s Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has firmly stated that the United States does not owe South Africa any financial obligation following President Donald Trump’s decision to cut $440 million in funding for the country’s antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programme.

The funding, part of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), was established by former President George W. Bush to combat HIV/AIDS globally.

Speaking during a heated parliamentary debate on Thursday, March 7, 2025, Motsoaledi addressed the implications of Trump’s decision, which threatens to jeopardize the jobs of 15,000 healthcare workers and potentially collapse South Africa’s ARV treatment programme.

“Trump doesn’t owe South Africa any cent whatsoever,” Motsoaledi told Members of Parliament (MPs). “For that reason, we need to stand on our own.”

The Health Minister emphasized the need for South Africa to take responsibility for the crisis, urging the country to seek alternative funding sources and reduce reliance on foreign aid.

He revealed that his department has already begun discussions with international and domestic foundations to bridge the funding gap.

“We have met many funders, including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Elma Foundation, Gates Foundation, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office of the UK, and our own Solidarity Fund,” Motsoaledi said. “Not the Solidarity that ran to Trump, but the Solidarity Fund established during COVID.”

Motsoaledi stressed that no government or foundation is waiting for Trump’s approval to commit funds to South Africa’s programmes.

He called for a review of subsidized private medical health schemes, urging Parliament to debate the fairness of such subsidies during the current economic crisis.

“We must not waste this crisis,” he said. “Can we call a debate in this House? Why are well-to-do South Africans, including all of us here, still receiving heavy subsidies to stay on private medical aid? Is it fair? Should we be doing that during this difficult moment?”

The debate was initiated by Julius Malema, leader of the opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Malema, clad in his party’s signature red overalls, criticized the US for cutting aid to South Africa, suggesting that the decision was influenced by South Africa’s support for Palestine in its conflict with Israel.

“The US aggression towards South Africa is nothing more than Israel’s revenge for our moral stance in support of Palestine.

“Meanwhile, some of us have been labelled international criminals, a designation used before the West assassinated those who opposed its agenda,” he stated.

Malema also condemned right-wing groups, such as AfriForum and Solidarity, for seeking foreign funding to establish independent states, calling it part of a broader imperialist agenda.

“The growing calls by right-wing groups for foreign funding to establish independent states must be recognised as part of a larger plan.

“Our government must dismiss opportunistic African racist groups exploiting US imperialism to fund their racist fantasies of an independent state,” he said.

Reiterating his party’s stance on land reform, Malema declared, “We will expropriate land without compensation, whether they like it or not. If they object, they can seek refuge in America.”

The funding cuts come amid heightened tensions between South Africa and the US, particularly following the signing of the Expropriation Act, which allows for land expropriation without compensation.

The Act has been strongly opposed by Trump and has sparked calls from AfriForum and Solidarity for US intervention to protect Afrikaner culture.

While the country currently purchases 90% of ARVs for its citizens, the remaining 10% is funded by Global Funds.

“The loss of PEPFAR support poses a significant challenge, but Motsoaledi remains optimistic about securing alternative funding.

“None of the funders we’ve met will say, ‘I give you this much,’ but they are willing to help,” he said. “We need to stand on our own and find sustainable solutions.”

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