Ramaphosa must assure Trump of commitment to Afrikaner human rights
Ramaphosa jets off on Monday for a working visit to the US.
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 needs to give an undertaking to US President Donald Trump at their meeting this week that the ANC-led government will recommit itself to the protection of the human rights of Afrikaners, says AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel.
Kriel, whose organisation led the way in persuading Trump Afrikaners were being persecuted in SA, said this commitment should also be backed up by practical steps such as condemning the Kill the boer, kill the farmer song and farm murders to be classified as priority crimes.
Other amendments Ramaphosa should commit to include property rights and the amendment of the Expropriation Act, as well as the Bela Act, and to the cultural survival of Afrikaans cultural communities.
ALSO READ: White House showdown? Ramaphosa looks to 'reset relationship' with Trump next week
'These are what I would say the president should do, but I am afraid he will not because his answer is only denial – denial by continuing to say the concerns expressed by Trump are simply based on misinformation.'
If Ramaphosa goes to the White House with that strategy, he will certainly fail and should acknowledge the problems and find solutions for them, Kriel said.
'AfriForum is willing to enter into discussions with the ANC to see if solutions can be found to some extent,' he said.
Ramaphosa heads to US for Trump meeting
SA-born billionaire Elon Musk will likely be at Trump's side when the US president meets Ramaphosa this week, with one official predicting a 'rough meeting'.
Ramaphosa jets off on Monday for a working visit to the US. It will include a series of meetings at the White House.
While some will be behind closed doors, others will be in front of the world's cameras.
READ MORE: International relations expert says Ramaphosa should not antagonise Trump
Two months ago, Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky descended into a heated argument and shouting match that saw the US president kick reporters out.
An official told the Sunday Times that SA is prepared for similar tensions.
'The likelihood of humiliation is there. We have been given a sense that behind closed doors, it's going to be a rough meeting.'
Elon Musk expected at Ramaphosa-Trump meeting
Musk is a close advisor to Trump and has been vocal about the alleged genocide of white farmers in the country, despite official crime statistics not supporting his claim.
He has been trying to get his Starlink internet service in South Africa, but reportedly refused to comply with local equity and empowerment laws.
The official said the SA delegation expects Musk to pressure Ramaphosa 'in front of Trump on his Starlink issue and will lament our B-BBEE laws as discriminatory'.
'We also understand [US Secretary of State] Marco Rubio will be leading the charge and playing the bad cop.
READ MORE: Will Trump embarrass SA at White House meeting?
'It's going to be an extremely difficult meeting and all of the contentious issues around the so-called white genocide, singing of Kill the boer, as well as issues related to Israel, will be led by Rubio. Elon will be there to just drive the point.'
Ramaphosa will be joined in the US by International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Trade Minister Parks Tau and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. Mcebisi Jonas, SA's presidential envoy to the US, and investments advisor Alistair Ruiters are also expected to join.
Ramaphosa said on Friday the team would not be distracted by the noise around their trip.
'We will just focus on what is important for our country. We will be conducting our discussions in a business-like manner.'
'Mutually beneficial relationship'
Ntshavheni has also downplayed a possible spectacle, claiming 'there is no-one who invites a guest to mistreat them'.
'We are expecting the highest level of decorum. We will differ, but we believe our relationship with the US is mutually beneficial.'
Ramaphosa said the delegation would remain focused on critical bilateral issues, despite recent tensions between the two countries.
'We are not going to be distracted by anything. We will just focus on what is important for our country,' the president said.
'Every South African knows and agrees there's no genocide here.
NOW READ: 'We will not be distracted', says Ramaphosa on upcoming US trip to meet Trump
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