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The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Codesa 2 has many agendas to fill
The original Codesa achieved its aim of shepherding the country to democracy, but it definitely left unfinished business. The list of 'eminent persons' who will 'champion and guide' President Cyril Ramaphosa's national dialogue reads like a 'Who's Who' of this country's 'nice people'. Lest that sound a little cynical, we will acknowledge that the delegates to this 'national convention' do seem the types who can put petty party politics aside and make the future of the country their priority. They come from across the spectrum of South African life, from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, to Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman and will, presumably, bring a broad range of opinions to the debate. What we're not getting are loudmouth politicians like Julius Malema, who have quickly dismissed Ramaphosa's idea as a form of political theatre. Now that can be good – because the extremist views will be absent or at least muted – or bad – because, like it or not, populist politicians who like to sound radical or revolutionary do have appeal for a mass market. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa announces 'Eminent Persons Group' to guide national dialogue – These are the people appointed Some are billing the gathering – in both positive and negative senses – as 'Codesa 2' in reference to the original Codesa (the Convention for a Democratic South Africa), which helped steer the country to democracy after long and arduous talks in the 1990s. The original Codesa achieved its aim of shepherding the country to democracy, but it definitely left unfinished business – such as the issue of land – which have returned to haunt South Africa. If this Codesa 2 is to succeed, however, it must, this time around, give more attention to the hopes and fears of the black majority, rather than reassuring whites that everything will be fine in the future. As it was in the 1990s, right-wingers are the fly in the ointment, with their revved-up aims to achieve 'de-centralisation' and 'self-government'. The national convention has to satisfy multiple different constituencies. And that won't be easy. NOW READ: Ramaphosa urges caution as floods claims lives in Eastern Cape
IOL News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Navigating SA, US Relations: A diplomatic Tea or a Political Tee-Off?
LEADERS of the G20, including US President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa, pose for a group picture at the Osaka Castle, Japan in June 2019. Trump has indicated that he will boycott the G20 summit hosted by South Africa later this year. Well-known for his role in Codesa as the ANC's chief negotiator, Ramaphosa's articulation of thought and skilful negotiation will be required ahead of his meeting with Trump next week, says the writer. Image: AFP Dr Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov UKRAINE'S Head of State's visit to South Africa heralded a move in the right direction for potential negotiations to maintain peace and security of its people and natural resources. Although the Ukrainian diplomatic visit did not matter much to Russia, the United States did not seem pleased because it continued to increase tariffs against South Africa. Withdrawing US AID from South Africa, the American administration seemed oblivious and unsympathetic to the plight of HIV afflicted patients and the subsequent domino effect. A few months prior, South Africa sought to maintain peace and security in the Middle East when it brought an action at the International Court of Justice in support of Palestinians, asserting that apartheid is a crime against humanity, and that genocide, as is acknowledged by all modern nations today. Much has unfolded in recent months, culminating in the Trump administration offering refugee status for an alleged crime committed by the South African government against South Africa's white Afrikaner minority. The details of this refugee-based offer are couched in US discrimination legislation, leaving much food for thought. Once more, the high tea planned between heads of state, President Ramaphosa and Trump may well be on teeing off on the course. Will they make it to the 19th hole still sipping tea? President Ramaphosa will address these matters during tea whilst he potentially tees off with Ernie Els and some South African white Afrikaner refugees on American soil. As this political drama unfolds in the global sandbox, some enjoy playtime more than others. Meanwhile, the powers embark on robust decisions to ensure political, economic and military security. BRICS has emerged as a formidable regional organisation with non-conformist ideals that have paved the way for non-territorially close nation-states to become part of the regional organisation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE into their family with several others queuing to become part of an initiative that defies Western-based domination. Spurned mostly by the founding Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS maintains its founding ideals but remains culturally inclusive and open for dialogue with respect and tolerance. As China remains focused on economic security, India relies on manufacturing and cheap labour, flouting international labour and human rights standards. China persists in rapid manufacturing suitable for markets the world over. Depending on the market destination, China tailors its manufacturing standards, acknowledging its strong foothold as it continues to serve major houses across Western Europe. Meanwhile, Brazil is in for the ride, hopeful for development and a revised economic order that needs reform. Russia, on the other hand, maintains its firm stance on military security, vying with no other. Despite its ageing weaponry, developmental and trade ties with Iran and its allies open many doors to secure military dominance, as demonstrated in the recent Indo-Pak conflict, whose roots have little or no veracity. South Africa, not just the gateway to African economics, military armament and natural resource abundance, remains integral to the BRICS. Zambia's copper, for example, has China as the primary destination. Ethiopia and Egypt have little to offer with tourism, crafts, the United Nations Habitat's test tube sustainable housing matters, inter alia, creating a closer territorial link to the Global North. The Global South is not left behind as China partners with Ethiopia for low-grade manufacturing trade on the continent. South Africa has a more critical role: its genesis in apartheid. This, South Africa viewed, as a startling catapult to the international human rights arena when it launched the application at the ICJ against Israel. In so doing, not only did South Africa make herself heard as the modern apartheid opponent but also as the vicegerent for the draconian apartheid epoch, which is never to be repeated. Whether South Africa is successful or not remains to be seen because the ICJ depends on funding for its continued relevance and existence. Contributions from China, Russia – BRICS P2S in the United Nations Security Council's P5 – and the US sustain the ICJ. And, the US opposes this stance, slinging back at South Africa, claiming Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, stating that Israel belongs to the Israelites. Spearheading NATO, the US is bent on welcoming Ukraine into the Western-dominated democratic thought. Russia will not permit such a break from Soviet communist ideals because this would mean that the former USSR states will fragment into variegated political dominions, making it nigh impossible for decision-making, thus weakening its global political and military prowess. Against this backdrop, as South Africa's head of state makes his way to tea for teeing off with the US's head of state, all hangs in the balance for the diplomatic dialogue to smooth over creases, even if they are temporary. Well known for his role in CODESA as the ANC's chief negotiator, South Africa's President Ramaphosa's articulation of thought, skilful negotiation and sheer emotional intelligence and sobriety will allow him to read the course that the US's head of state tees off. President Ramaphosa navigated arduous political terrain, opening the room for multi-party views, negotiating a sustained settlement. This dawn broke with the sun rising well on its way to a government of national unity enshrined in a constitution that exemplified human rights, accountability, transparency and parity. However, this seems naïve for hosting a dialogue demands some common ground rules at the very least. Like attracts like. It would do good for the South African head of state to keep South Africa's side of the street clean. Notoriously, the US head of state does not give much time for planning, but impulsive execution appears to be his forte. When such execution plays itself out, South Africa's head of state should be meticulously mindful that well-grounded lawyering skills may have to be set aside, for street-smart language may prove best if the 19th hole is teed. * Dr Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov is a University of Cambridge Wolfson College Scholar and a former member of the University of Fort Hare's Nelson Mandela Law School. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC faces internal conflict over Cyril Ramaphosa's potential plan to appoint an Afrikaner ambassador to the US
President Cyril Ramaphosa. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Media The ANC is divided over President Cyril Ramaphosa considering the appointment of a white Afrikaner as the new South African Ambassador to the United States. According to highly placed sources within the party, the move is seen as an attempt to mend ties with US President Donald Trump, who has been critical of South Africa's alleged treatment of white farmers. The names being touted for the ambassador position include former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Roelf Meyer and former National Party (NP) leader Marthinus Van Schalkwyk. Meyer, who played a key role in the Codesa negotiations in the early 1990s, is said to have a close relationship with Ramaphosa while Van Schalkwyk facilitated the merger of the then NP into the ANC and later became the Minister of Tourism. He resigned from parliament in 2014. The source said even though the matter had not been widely discussed by the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC), it was discussed in the corridors of power with some saying that appointing an Afrikaner would be conceding to the claims that Afrikaners are being discriminated against in the country. He said a part of the NEC were of the views that choosing an Afrikaner leader aligned to the ANC would be a wise move to mend ties with the US. However, not everyone within the ANC is convinced that appointing a white Afrikaner is the right move. 'The president first brought up the matter on the appointment of an Afrikaner closely related to the ANC, with some of his closest comrades to say it would halt an unnecessary war of words with Washington . However a large part of the NEC is against that consideration,' said the source. He said in the end it was the president's decision but the ANC would play a huge part in making that decision. 'There are many names that are being thrown around. Comrades are saying (Mcebisi) Jonas would be the right choice because he already has one foot in as the Special Envoy to the US. Other comrades are saying we should not be playing into (Donald) Trump's hands and try to appease him. 'The president and the secretary-general [Fikile Mbalula] said they were not going to let the US bully us…its time they apply what they said,' the source said. He said another name that was being suggested was that of former Trade and Industry minister Ebrahim Patel. The appointment of a new ambassador comes at a time when relations between South Africa and the US are strained. Trump has accused the country of persecuting white farmers and has introduced a bill that would allow him to impose sanctions on South African officials who support America's adversaries. Ramaphosa's efforts to mend ties with the US began recently when he appointed Jonas as his special envoy to the US. However, Jonas's past comments about Trump have raised concerns about his suitability for the role. A 2020 video of Jonas calling Trump a racist and homophobe has resurfaced, casting doubt over his continued involvement. uMkhonto WeSizwe Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela dismissed the idea of an Afrikaner as an ambassador to the US, saying that it confirms that Ramaphosa is promoting the Afrikaner agenda. 'Ramaphosa sold out 30 years ago with Roelf Meyer. Today he wants to sell out again,' said Ndhlela.
