Bill Gates praises Ramaphosa – but why is SA upset with the billionaire?

For Bill Gates, it may seem like no good deed goes unpunished. The multi-billionaire Microsoft founder is turnning his attention towards the fight against COVID-19, and has vowed to fund the construction of several factories dedicated to mass-producing a vaccine against the virus. But, despite his exchange with Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africans are far from happy with the American.

Bill Gates reveals vaccination plans for COVID-19

Speaking to Trevor Noah – of all people – Gates revealed that his plans to target vaccine trials would take place in Africa. He also offered help to Mzansi directly, by supplying a number of testing kits. The philanthropist told The Daily Show.

“For developing countries, it’s far harder and so these measures actually stop it from getting to the large part of the population, in places like India and Nigeria. I was talking to President Ramaphosa today, who is not only president of South Africa, he’s also the head of African Union.”

“He is a very strong voice there, encouraging African countries to act quickly when the number of cases is still fairly low, which is true throughout sub-Saharan Africa right now.”

Bill Gates

The @GatesFoundation has supported our health needs for many years. They have offered assistance with innovative mass-based testing kits and research. I spoke to @BillGates and he commended the swift and decisive action South Africa has taken on #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/CSfFLYqnzA

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 4, 2020

Why the criticism

But Bill Gates’ well-meaning intentions haven’t been received how he would have hoped. Many South Africans have questioned his motivations, asking why he wants to use Africa as a ‘testing ground’. The criticism comes amid a backdrop of controversy from France, where one scientist caused an almighty race row.

Camille Locht, head of research at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in Lille, had asked: “Shouldn’t we be doing this study in Africa, where there are no masks, no treatment, no intensive care?” – prompting the ire of former Ivory Coast footballer Didier Drogba:

It is totally inconceivable we keep on cautioning this.
Africa isn’t a testing lab.
I would like to vividly denounce those demeaning, false and most of all deeply racists words.

Helps us save Africa with the current ongoing Covid 19 and flatten the curve. pic.twitter.com/41GIpXaIYv

— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 2, 2020

Bill Gates warned not to use African “lab rats” for COVID-19 fight

• It seems the sentiments are the same for the Gates Foundation, who have been warned off from “experimenting”:

We reject the suggestion the Bill Gates foundation test this new Corona vaccine in Africa. Italy, US and other European counties are struggling. Let them start there. #AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs

— dr jowie.mbengo (@padapido) March 31, 2020

Bill Gates please test your vaccine in your country and most affected European countries in Europe i.e Italy, France etc. The world has 1.1 million cases & Africa has less than 8 thousand. If our leaders want it tested in Africa, test it on them

#AfricansAreNotLabRats #vaccine pic.twitter.com/X3ymaypN0C

— Melissa Nelly (@MelissaNe10) April 4, 2020