Khalid Muhammad has touted independent systems and reduced reliance on foreign humanitarian support

The withdrawal of US foreign aid to South Africa is a "wake-up call" and an opportunity for transformation, according to South African politician and youth activist Khalid Muhammad.

In an interview with RT, the African National Congress (ANC) party's Western Cape spokesperson stated that South Africa "needs to start working much more closely, particularly at the level of the economics, with our BRICS partners."

"Russia, for example, becomes a key role player in this regard. Also, China becomes very, very important.  Brazil, India, even Iran, markets that the Americans try to keep us away from, we must embrace those particular markets," Muhammad added.

He echoed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent comments, agreeing that the country must accelerate efforts to build self-reliant systems, particularly in key sectors such as health and social development.

The administration of US President Donald Trump announced in February that it was terminating 90% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts. The administration cited a failure to advance America's national interests, and effectively halted $60 billion in humanitarian spending worldwide.

Muhammad said that although the situation presents clear challenges, it is also pushing South Africa toward necessary economic diversification. He stressed that the current environment demands deeper cooperation with BRICS partners as well as renewed trade ties across Africa.

"Donald Trump's actions ... [have] in a sense pushed us into diversifying the markets for the South African economy," Muhammad said, suggesting that these changes are beneficial in the long term.  

Addressing the immediate effects of US aid cuts, Muhammad pointed to the Western Cape as a region facing significant consequences. The provincial government - led by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) - had become heavily reliant on USAID funding for combatting tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, Muhammad said, adding "that's where we're going to feel it the most".

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Commenting on the recent expulsion of South Africa's ambassador from the US after he criticized Trump's policies, Muhammad confirmed that the issue is being handled diplomatically by the president and the Department of International Relations.

"We are saying that we need to be just, we need to be equal in the manner in which these issues are dealt with," he said, while reaffirming the ANC's dissatisfaction with how the US has handled the situation.