ATM criticises Ramaphosa's US visit, asserting South Africa is not a colony
African Transformation Movement (ATM) president Vuyo Zungula has sharply criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent visit to the United States
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
African Transformation Movement (ATM) president Vuyo Zungula sharply criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent visit to the United States of America, which aimed to ease diplomatic tensions and boost trade relations between the two countries.
Ramaphosa and his delegation met with the US President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this week.
During the meeting, Trump showed a video falsely claiming it depicted a mass grave for white farmers.
He also played clips of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and others singing the struggle song "Dubula ibhunu," which he claimed was evidence that white farmers were being persecuted in South Africa
Ramaphosa denied these claims, saying that the government does not support such views and insisted that violence affects all communities in the country.
Despite what has been described as an "ambush", Ramaphosa said the talks went well and expressed hope that Trump would attend the G20 summit in South Africa in December.
'My takeaway from that is that G20 participation by the United States is going to be happening. So I'm particularly pleased with that,' he said.
Addressing thousands of party supporters in Mangaung at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, Zungula criticised the visit, saying South Africa was not a colony of the US.
"We make no apology as the ATM and the MK [uMkhonto weSizwe party] when we say South Africa is not a colony of the United States. Under the leadership of ATM and MK, you will never see a president flying to America to justify our domestic decisions," Zungula said
He also accused the government of going to beg and plead for approval from the US instead of standing firm on South Africa's sovereignty.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
‘Is it greed or jealousy?': Ramaphosa fires back at critics of BEE, Transformation Fund
The president pushed back against the argument that BEE is a cost to the economy. President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on 16 September 2022. Picture: AFP / Saul Loeb President Cyril Ramaphosa has come out swinging against critics of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), questioning whether their opposition is rooted in 'greed' or 'jealousy'. Ramaphosa was speaking during his keynote address at the gala dinner of the Black Business Council's annual summit held at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni. The two-day summit concluded on Friday. National dialogue and socioeconomic challenges Delivering his speech, Ramaphosa reiterated the government's commitment to hosting a national dialogue to develop solutions for the country's pressing issues. 'Some of these challenges manifest themselves in a number of problems that people not only in our country are facing. 'Cost of living crises are widespread and they impact largely disproportionately on poor people and even middle-income households,' he said. ALSO READ: DA is crippling the government's transformation agenda – labour minister The president acknowledged that while unemployment is a global issue, South Africa is particularly affected. 'We have the worst unemployment problem, especially youth unemployment.' He highlighted the mistrust in institutions, attributing it to high levels of corruption and state capture. Economic growth through transformation Ramaphosa emphasised the potential of the government of national unity (GNU) in driving transformation. He said growth of the country's economy will happen through transformation. 'That is the reality. Transformation is vital if growth is to be meaningful and is to be inclusive as well as to be sustainable. 'There are those who say, dump transformation, dump the black economic empowerment. READ MORE: Affirmative-action measures must 'not go too far', argues DA in court 'Dump it because it is inhibiting growth and I argue that it is what happened in the past that we have to transform and to change, and we can only do so through transformation to grow our economy.' He referred to the Constitution as the foundation for transformation policies. 'The heart of our Constitution is around the equality clause, which says that steps and measures and laws must be made to redress the injustices of our past and we will not get away from that,' the president told delegates. 'It is what happened in the past that we must never forget, for it must inform what we need to do now, and it must inspire what we should do in the future. That's what we need to do and it's not limited to a few laws, policies or regulations.' Watch Ramaphosa's speech below: Ramaphosa defends BEE Ramaphosa stated that legislative frameworks like the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and the Employment Equity Act are crucial tools for driving transformation. Despite progress in narrowing the equality gap, the president pointed out that significant disparities remain – with the average income of white households still nearly five times higher than that of black African households. READ MORE: Employment Equity Bill has 'shortcomings' Ramaphosa appeared to take a swipe at the Democratic Alliance (DA), which is challenging the Employment Equity Act in court. 'Quite often they are the ones who complain about employment equity, black economic empowerment and you often wonder, what is it? 'Is it greed that is driving them or is it jealousy because it should be prosper thy neighbor that should drive them. They should be applauding. 'Yes, people are also moving up the scale and they are often the very first to complain and even to take government to court.' Transformation Fund Ramaphosa called for the ownership, management, and control of key industries, such as construction, to reflect South Africa's demographics. 'We cannot separate our drive for inclusive growth for the drive for economic empowerment. 'And I stress this because the noises that continue to be made against empowerment and transformation are worrying.' Addressing criticism of the Transformation Fund, Ramaphosa reaffirmed the government's commitment to its implementation. 'We suddenly heard negative voices about the establishment of the Transformation Fund and we have said we are forging ahead with the establishment of this fund and we are going to allocate money.' READ MORE: What problem does government want to solve with R100bn Transformation Fund? He emphasised that access to finance remains a key barrier for black-owned businesses: 'We therefore as government must make sure that there is access to funding for black-owned businesses.' Ramaphosa also pushed back against the argument that BEE is a cost to the economy. 'There are those who say it is costing the economy much too much. And when you ask them in what way it is costing the economy, they are not able to explain. We need to demonstrate that it is an investment in the economy.'
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Ramaphosa honours Dr. Tshenuwani Farisani: A tireless freedom fighter
President, Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa, delivers the eulogy at the funeral of Reverend Dr. Tshenuwani Simon Farisani, paying tribute to a fearless freedom fighter, principled leader, and servant of the people in Venda, Limpopo. Image: ANC/X President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, hailing him as an extraordinary leader, revered cleric, and tireless anti-apartheid activist whose legacy will endure for generations. Speaking at the official funeral held at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, Ramaphosa joined dignitaries, mourners, and family members in celebrating the life and impact of the revered Lutheran minister. Dr Farisani, a prominent figure in the Black Consciousness Movement, dedicated his life to justice and liberation, enduring persecution for his convictions. 'When he was released and went into exile to the United States, he could have easily put the entire experience behind him and led a quiet life,' Ramaphosa said. His unwavering commitment to freedom led him to serve in Parliament and, later, as Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature in 2004. He passed away at the age of 76 following an undisclosed illness. His contribution to South Africa's democracy and spiritual life remains indelible. Additionally, Ramaphosa said Farisani campaigned against the Apartheid regime abroad. 'When Venda was proclaimed a so-called independent homeland by the Apartheid regime, he was one of those who were outspoken in his opposition. Even when this brought him into conflict with church leaders in his circuit. His activism continued into the democratic era,' he said. Meanwhile, before Ramaphosa could deliver his eulogy, Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba honoured the memory of the late liberation hero, Farisani, describing him as a fatherly figure and a pillar of the community. Ramathuba reflected on his lifelong solidarity with the poor, noting that he not only served them but chose to live among them, embodying the values he preached. Farisani, she added, was a principled and steadfast member of the South African Communist Party (SACP), and his legacy as a spiritual leader and freedom fighter will continue to inspire generations. [email protected] IOL Politics
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
'A man of unwavering principles': Ramaphosa delivers eulogy at activist cleric Tshenuwani Farisani's funeral
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the late activist cleric Rev Tshenuwani Simon Farisani as a man of unwavering principles who did not yearn for the limelight and positions. Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at the funeral of the ANC politician at the University of Venda stadium in Limpopo on Saturday. Farisani was accorded a special official provincial funeral category two. 'He was a man of unwavering principles. Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the people of South Africa and their total emancipation,' he said. Ramaphosa said Farisani saw himself as a mentor and 'indeed he was my mentor and he was my teacher as well'. Scores of politicians, including ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, attended the funeral. Farisani was a revered South African theologian, Lutheran minister, anti-apartheid activist and political leader. He was a man of unwavering principles. Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the people of South Africa and their total emancipation. President Cyril Ramaphosa He was born on August 30 1948 in Songozwi village (then part of the Venda homeland in the Transvaal). He rose from rural hardship to become one of the most influential voices in liberation theology and the struggle for freedom in apartheid South Africa. 'We have lost an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. This obituary, which has been read by his child, is an obituary that includes the life of Tshenuwani in full,' Ramaphosa said. He further added Farisani's year of birth, 1948, was a turning point in the history of South Africa, a year when the National Party swept to power and ushered in an evil spirit of apartheid that was declared a crime against humanity by the UN. 'Dean Farisani was born into circumstances that mirrored the lives of millions of black South Africans at the time. He was just a child, barely three years old, when his family was confronted with the ugly face of injustice.' He said many years later, in 1996, Farisani would testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on how his family became victims of forced removals from Songozwi near Makhado (formerly known as Louis Trichardt). Farisani, he said, rebelled against the dubious teachings of the Lutheran theological college at Maphumulo, from which he was expelled in 1972. Ramaphosa hails late Mam Motlana as a 'fearless and resolute' opponent of oppression President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans should pay tribute to activist and Member of the Order of the Baobab Sally Motlana by emulating her ... Politics 1 year ago He developed an interest in liberation theology and its message that the true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor. He became involved with underground political organisations like the Black People's Convention, the black consciousness movement. It was at this time that Farisani travelled extensively across the country. In his many travels, he visited Mphaphuli High School, where Ramaphosa was a pupil. 'Farisani was a guest at our school's flourishing debating society, which a number of us, including Judge Raulinga, Tshifhiwa Muofhe and people like Willy Mudau, had set up. Farisani and I formed an immediate and lasting bond of friendship, comradeship and loyalty based on respect and love. He opened to me the radical interpretation of the Bible, which Farisani was later to become famous for. 'He argued the Lutheran church must turn away from political conservatism and become an instrument of opposition,' said Ramaphosa. He said Farisani was a courageous revolutionary who inspired a generation to reclaim their pride and to stand up for their rights. 'I was one of those who were hugely inspired by him. He was, in addition to everything else, a renowned academic, a prolific scholar whose writings gave voice to the voiceless. He was a guide and a mentor to many.' Ramaphosa said Farisani's activism continued into the democratic era, where he became an MEC and speaker of the legislature in Limpopo province. He said those roles placed him in a position of power and influence, yet did not change him. 'He was a servant leader who came, served and left. When he saw corruption being perpetrated by those who are trusted with public funds, he was vocal and scathing in his criticism, and that is why he was one of those when the VBS looting happened who spoke out. 'He spoke out to a point where a number of people started to hate him, but it never moved him. The foundation that bears his name continues to be an influential voice in the public space in advancing social justice. Neither beatings nor torture could make Farisani surrender his principles' .
