Latest news with #BELAAct
eNCA
21-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
SA delegation remains calm in 'genocide ambush' by Trump
JOHANNESBURG - US President Donald Trump presented what he believed was 'proof' of a genocide in South Africa. These included videos and printed articles that were presented to the South African delegation in Washington on Wednesday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and members present stood firm, denying all claims that South Africans were targets of a genocide. Trump says that he stands against all genocide around the world; however, when Afrikaners seek refuge, he is concerned. Fringe groups in South Africa, like Afriforum, have long alleged that white farmers were being targeted and killed. They have also alleged that laws like the Land Expropriation Act and the BELA Act are laws directed at destroying them. The South African government has denied these allegations, saying there is no evidence. Afriforum has, after Trump met with the South African delegation, denied that they supplied footage of the documentary played during the meeting. Afriforum's Kallie Kriel said they can neither confirm nor deny that they compiled the particular documentary shown during the meeting. South African businessman Johann Rupert says that crime affects everyone. With crime being rampant in the Cape Flats in the Western Cape. Golfing legend Ernie Els says what South Africa needs is investment to deal with the country's social ills. The US administration gave 50 Afrikaners refugee status. The group accepted Trump's invitation after he signed an executive order offering Afrikaners asylum in the country.
The South African
21-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
EFF condemns Rupert's key role in Ramaphosa-Trump talks
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has strongly condemned the inclusion of billionaire businessman Johann Rupert in a South African delegation set to meet United States President Donald Trump. The party described Rupert's participation as a sign of corporate capture. It said wealthy elites were exerting undue influence over state affairs, especially in efforts to restore diplomatic and trade ties between South Africa and the United States. In a statement issued on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, the EFF accused both Rupert and Elon Musk of using their financial influence to shape national policies. The party alleged that both businessmen represent a threat to democratic processes, calling them 'racist to the core' and opposed to transformation efforts. The EFF claimed that Rupert would use the meeting to reassure the US that controversial legislation would not move forward in South Africa. This includes laws such as land expropriation without compensation. The party argued that this undermines parliamentary processes and national sovereignty. 'Rupert, a major beneficiary of unequal land ownership, has previously threatened to disinvest from South Africa if his wealth is threatened. His role in this meeting is to protect that wealth,' the statement read. The EFF warned President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rupert against making any private commitments that contradict laws passed by Parliament, such as the BELA Act, the NHI Act and the Expropriation Act. The party also opposed any attempts to bypass local ownership requirements for companies like Elon Musk's Starlink. The party concluded by stating that it will challenge any backroom agreements in court if they undermine South Africa's laws and democratic processes. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Gauteng ANC accuses Gwarube of delaying release of BELA Act guidelines
JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng has accused Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube of delaying the release of guidelines for the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. The Department of Basic Education is in the process of drafting the regulations, norms, and standards that will govern the rollout of this controversial legislation. Although Gwarube has pledged to publish the regulations by the end of June, the ANC in Gauteng argued this timeline was holding back the act's implementation. ANC Gauteng coordinator, Hope Papo, said the sooner the guidelines were released, the better. "The minister of education from the Democratic Alliance (DA) is delaying in issuing the guidelines. We want the regulations to be issued speedily. That process needs to be unlocked at national level by the minister and MECs, so that we can get on with the implementation of the BELA Act." ALSO READ: BELA Act will be implemented whether people like it or not
News24
08-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
‘Gloves were off': PAC facilitates ‘robust' ANC-Afrikaner exchange
The ANC and the Afrikaner Leadership Network addressed contentious issues in a four-hour meeting in Sandton, facilitated by the PAC. Heated discussions focused on the BELA Act, the Expropriation Act, farm murder claims, and US-SA relations. Both sides have pledged to seek South African solutions to national challenges but agreed not to disclose further details to avoid jeopardising talks. The hush-hush four-hour marathon meeting between the ANC and the Afrikaner Leadership Network at a hotel in Sandton has been at least four weeks in the making, and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) finally convinced the organisations to meet on Tuesday. Though a decision was taken at the meeting not to divulge any further details, the PAC told News24, 'there was blood on the floor and blood on the walls' as the organisations discussed contentious issues, including the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, Expropriation Act, untruths around farm murders and US-SA relations. The Afrikaner Leadership Network includes the Solidariteit Movement, Solidariteit and AfriForum - entities that the ANC has publicly condemned. AfriForum has also criticised the ANC for its ties to Iran and Hamas. 'All I can tell you is that in the meeting itself, the discussions were so robust. There was blood on the floor and blood on the walls there; the gloves were taken off,' the PAC's Jaki Seroke said. The meeting was co-chaired by PAC leader Mzwanele Nyhontso and Seroke. The ANC also sent a delegation of mostly women, led by its first deputy secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel also attended alongside Solidariteit and Solidariteit Movement representatives. Southern African Agri Initiative boss Theo de Jagger also reportedly attended. 'We organised a meeting. We are responsible for bringing the two entities together. The ANC and the group of Afrikaners had reached a stalemate around issues like the BELA, and there were lots of problems relating to those negotiations over the use of Afrikaans, the Expropriation Act, and several other things that were touchy subjects. 'But in reality, the two had been talking to each other over time; they've been consulting with each other, and the stalemate made the tensions so high that they were not even prepared to talk to each other,' Seroke said. He added after learning of the tensions, the PAC decided to intervene. 'It took a bit of time, but within a few weeks, we were able to have this meeting that took place on Tuesday. It was a tough meeting because I think the disagreements they had went too deep in such a manner that they had to tell each other off. 'Among the issues that are pertinent is this dimension that includes the US, and the allegations that farmers were killed and so on, these things that we do not know, there's no evidence of it. 'So all of that entanglement needs careful, careful dealing with. So there's a lot of diplomacy and an approach to it in such a way that we have agreed with the three entities, PAC, ANC and the Afrikaner Leadership Network, that at this stage, we will not disclose the contents of what we were discussing,' Seroke said. WATCH | 'We are going nowhere': Solidarity, AfriForum blame ANC for Trump order Asked why the PAC felt the need to intervene, he added: 'The PAC has its own checkered history. We found out that we are at each other's throats for nothing in most instances, and we will fight because we have presumptions which are based on falsehoods. So the best thing is to talk to each other. 'We have learnt from our own internal experiences and also looking at the broader South Africa that the concept of holding dialogue, not monologues, dialogues and treating each other fairly, whether the party is small or big, is essential,' Seroke added. The Afrikaner Leadership Network and the ANC also confirmed the meeting through similarly worded statements. According to the statements, the respective parties held robust and frank discussions on various issues of national interest. '[Tuesday's] dialogue is a clear indication that, as South Africans, we have a collective responsibility to address the challenges that our nation faces. 'The parties have identified issues around which we are committed to find South African solutions, in the interest of a diverse and united nation,' ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri wrote. Kriel also reiterated the statement's sentiments, adding that 'all parties are committed to ensuring that we find solutions'. 'However, we decided not to give any further comment as we want to ensure that the negotiations process is not jeopardised by various parties getting into a public debate,' he said. Attempts to reach ANC spokesperson Bhengu-Motsiri have been unsuccessful. Her comments will be added once received.
Eyewitness News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
SACP calls for GNU's downfall
MIDDELBURG - The South African Communist Party (SACP) has again spared no criticism over the Government of National Unity (GNU).The SACP and African National Congress (ANC) joined trade union federation COSATU in its annual commemoration of Workers' there are a number of rallies being held across the country, this year's national event is being held in to the podium first to deliver a message of support, SACP general secretary, Solly Mapaila, opened with a jab on a number of political issues."Down with VAT, down. Forward with the NHI, forward. Forward with the implementation of the BELA Act, forward. Down with the GNU, down."COSATU leader, Zingiswa Losi, weighed in on matters of national importance during her address to supporters gathered at the Kees Taljaard Stadium in Middelburg."The budget, comrades, must be progressive and not punishing. It must create jobs and it must tax the wealthy."In his brief address, ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, had this to say."Be it the BELA Act, be it the Expropriation Act, all that has happened because of you." The main event has wrapped up.
