My daily life has been immeasurably improved since someone on here pointed out that if you add a swearword to a Google search you don't get the AI results at the top.

<snort>

Owning more books than you can read is a defiant act of hope.

Lolololol idiocracy

A very smart colleague just pointed out the grim truth that the U.S. leaving the WHO may ultimately be a win for the rest of the world. Why? Because without a vote, “the US can't block WHO actions like vaccine programs, disease surveillance, contraception, etc”. Man, that is daaaark, but accurate.

The U.S. aid freeze shows how easily dependency can be weaponised. Programmes addressing HIV, maternal health, SRH and TB could grind to a halt, leaving millions at risk. This dependency mirrors colonial-era resource exploitation.

Global health funding reflects hierarchies of power. South Africa is positioned as a recipient of aid, not an equal partner. This reinforces global inequalities, keeping countries in the Majority World dependent.

This is imperialism in action. Decisions about our health systems are made Washington, undermining our sovereignty. Meanwhile, local needs, like strengthening the entire health system, can take a backseat to donor priorities.

Aid isn’t just charity, it’s a tool of soft power. The U.S. uses foreign assistance to advance its own political and economic goals. Conditions like the Global Gag Rule show how aid often imposes Western agendas on countries like ours.

Enter foreign aid. Programmes like PEPFAR & USAID stepped in to address crises like HIV but instead of building long-term local capacity, these initiatives entrenched dependency. The U.S. controls priorities, creating a neo-colonial dynamic of giver vs. receiver.

But why is South Africa so dependent on U.S. aid for health? It starts with our history: colonialism and apartheid created deep inequalities, leaving our public health system underfunded and ill-equipped to meet the needs of the majority population.

I'm adjusting to the politeness. It feels quiet, alien and wrong. Recovering from a dysfunctional but boisterous household is some confusing kak.

A pair of daffynitions every day until I run out, number 22…

Propaganda = to have a jolly good look at something

Pasteurise = something too far away to see

My six favourite European Mr Men character names...

6. Mr Muddle in Spain = Don Confuso
5. Mr Topsy-Turvy in Germany = Herr Kuddelmuddel
4. Mr Bounce in France = Monsieur Bing
3. Mr Dizzy in Portugal = Senhor Bobo
2. Mr Greedy in Sweden = Gubben Glufs Glufs
1. Mr Bump in Norway = Herr Dumpidump

Now that you guys are actually posting here let me check it out for serious 🤣🤣🤣

I am here mostly to promote fundraisers for people from Gaza & Sudan. 🇸🇩🇵🇸
#Gaza #Palestine #MutualAid #Charity #Sudan #KeepEyesOnSudan