DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND GOVERNANCE

USAID works with the South African Government and citizens to strengthen their level of interaction in targeted communities and sectors. In doing so, USAID emphasizes complementary efforts in institutional capacity development, civic engagement, transparency and accountability, and social cohesion. Assistance is provided to civil society organizations and local government to strengthen engagement and participation in political processes as well as build social cohesion in areas facing increased xenophobic violence and other forms of conflict.

Given the high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, USAID focuses on improving service delivery and support to survivors. The Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) portfolio includes programs that facilitate coordination and collaboration between the South African government, communities, the private sector, and civil society organizations to ensure comprehensive support for GBV survivors from clinical services to access to justice. 

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TRADE

Working in partnership with the Government of South Africa, USAID is increasing access to finance for small- and medium-sized enterprises, improving market linkages for historically disadvantaged businesses, and promoting evidence-based policymaking to maximize the effectiveness of public resources.

EDUCATION

Our work is aligned with the USAID Education Strategy and works in consultation with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Higher Education Training (DHET)in South Africa to support interventions that improve learning outcomes, especially primary-grade reading, early childhood development, and youth skills development. Selected models receive funding to expand, refine, and rigorously test before rolling out to the district, provincial, or national level.

GLOBAL HEALTH

Our in-country health program is one of the Agency's largest programs. We partner with the South African government to end the spread of HIV, TB, other infectious diseases, and save lives, while building a health system that is resilient, sustainable, and equitable. Grounded in investments in health systems strengthening and breakthrough innovation, we are focused around four strategic priorities: Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/TB through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and COVID-19 through the Initiative for Global Vaccine Access (Global VAX), while further focusing on Global Health Security by supporting South Africa to strengthen its ability to monitor, analyze, contain, mitigate, and treat against known and unknown current and future health threats.