KZN hopeful over President Ramaphosa’s visit to USA

The abrupt cancellation of PEPFAR funding by US President Donald Trump in his first executive orders was the main topic of interest during a provincial council meeting on Aids held in Mayville, Durban on Wednesday.

This meeting coincides with President Cyril Ramaphosa leading a government delegation to engage with the Trump administration to mend relations.

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Addressing the assembly, KZN Premier Thami Ntuli noted that the cancellation of the USAID programme in South Africa has abruptly ended funding under PEPFAR, aimed at combatting HIV and Aids in the country.

“This funding of R1.5-billion supports critical roles in health, education and social development. The implications of the withdrawal are wide-ranging,” said Ntuli.

He emphasised that over 5 000 individuals are employed under this programme as foot soldiers in the fight against HIV, TB and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

“I am certain that many of us already know of people and livelihoods that this sudden withdrawal has negatively affected through job losses.

“This unfortunate development is frustrating our long-term plans, which were based on the ‘certainty’ of this funding stream,” emphasised Ntuli.

Moreover, Ntuli maintained that KZN is in no position to interfere with the policies of another country; however, he would wish to see these funds made available again and the PEPFAR funding reinstated.

“As the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal, we thus look forward with great expectation and wish President Ramaphosa well on this great mission to the USA.

“We believe this will not be the last engagement with the US administration but the beginning of new negotiations, as our president’s visit will reopen opportunities for continuing discussions, including on the cancelled programmes,” said Ntuli.

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