Motsoaledi was presenting his department’s $17-billion budget vote in the National Assembly. Earlier this year, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was withdrawn, leaving a funding gap of $449 000. The minister says the department turned to local and international donors to avoid a collapse of the programme.

“Treasury has allocated about $30 million for us to start the process of reversing the going away of Trump,” said Motsoaledi.

“The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust have each pledged about $5.5 million. They put a condition that for every 100 million rand they contribute, it must be matched by about $11 million  from our own Treasury. Treasury is going to add $22 million.”

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--