SA secures $115m in US HIV funding, hailed as improved relations by cabinet

By Simon Nare

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has welcomed six-months of HIV/Aids funding under the PEPFAR Bridge Plan (PBP), saying it is a reflection of healthy bilateral relations between Pretoria and Washington.

The renewed support follows months of financial strain after the Trump administration abruptly halted foreign aid allocations in January, disrupting key public-health projects across southern Africa and forcing National Treasury to reallocate funds to prevent treatment gaps.

Ntshavheni told journalists during a post-cabinet briefing on Thursday that the country had been “caught off guard” by the sudden funding cut, leaving the government with no time to “balance the books.” She said South Africa lodged a formal complaint with Washington over the abrupt suspension.

“The Trump administration has now listened and approved funding to the tune