
Ramaphosa faces complex US engagement
WASHINGTON - President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to Washington comes at a time of strained relations between South Africa and the United States.
WATCH: The Dan Corder Show | Afrikaner 'Refugees' Finally Speak, Ramaphosa Goes To America
Key issues include South Africa's ICJ case against Israel, the Ukraine war, and differing foreign policy positions within the Government of National Unity.
Dr Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov from the University of Fort Hare unpacked these dynamics with eNCA.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa pays tribute to anti-apartheid activist and reverend, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani
JOHANNEBSURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to anti-apartheid activist and reverend, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, describing him as an extraordinary man who will be dearly remembered. Ramaphosa was speaking at Farisani's funeral at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. The reverend is being honoured with a special official provincial funeral. Family, mourners and top government officials, including president Ramaphosa and Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, gathered to pay their final respects to reverend Farisani. A Lutheran minister and black consciousness activist, Farisani played a key role in the struggle against Apartheid. His activism led to his appointment as a member of Parliament and later Speaker of the Limpopo provincial legislature in 2004. The 76-year-old died on Thursday after suffering from an undisclosed illness. President Ramaphosa said: "These experiences instilled in him a deep sense of understanding injustice. It was planted in the mind and the head of Dr Farisani, the seeds of political consciousness when he was still a teen." He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.


The Citizen
2 hours 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
2 hours 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