Latest news with #IOLPolitics
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa returns home after standing firm against Trump's falsehoods and defending South Africa's sovereignty
US President Donald Trump hands papers to President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Image: AFP President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his working visit to the United States, returning to South Africa following what the Presidency described as 'productive' diplomatic engagements, despite an unexpectedly charged meeting with US President Donald Trump. The Presidency announced that Ramaphosa and his delegation would be flying home after their trip to Washington had concluded. On Wednesday, Ramaphosa and Trump held a high-level meeting at the White House, initially intended to focus on diplomatic ties and economic engagement. However, the discussion quickly escalated into a heated confrontation with the South African delegation During a striking Oval Office meeting, Trump urged Ramaphosa to take action to protect White Afrikaner farmers from violent attacks. Trump reiterated widely discredited claims that these farmers were victims of a targeted genocide, even showcasing video footage of crosses and earthen mounds, which he asserted marked over 1,000 graves of murdered individuals. However, the mounds were part of a protest symbolising opposition to violence, not actual grave sites. Notably, Trump failed to acknowledge South Africa's complex and painful history, including decades of violent, racially discriminatory white rule under apartheid. It fell to others in the room to contextualise the broader epidemic of violence in South Africa, which affects all communities. Despite the attack, Ramaphosa remained calm but maintained that there were no land grabs, violence or genocide against a particular race, especially the white people. The South African delegation also clarified that that was misinformation because no such thing was happening in the country. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa emphasised that it was important for the US to be part of the South African G20 in November this year. 'The US has introduced the G20 and it would be an honour for them to be there. Fortunately, we will be handing over the G20 presidency to them,' he said. [email protected] IOL Politics
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Trade and diplomacy take centre stage in Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet with US counterpart Donald Trump on Wednesday. Image: GCIS / Se-Anne Rall President Cyril Ramaphosa will not address the alleged persecution of white people in South Africa during his meeting with US President Donald Trump, as it has been deemed a falsehood, according to presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya. Ramaphosa leads a high-level South African delegation on a working visit to the US, as both countries navigate a complex diplomatic moment. Speaking to the media, Magwenya said the meeting will focus on AGOA, high tariffs and trade relations. 'The whole world knows there is no such thing as a persecution of any particular race in South Africa. So, we don't need to spend any effort dispelling something that is not there,' he said. 'It's about refocusing our trade relationship. We would still like to see AGOA being extended and see South Africa's participation in AGOA. 'However, if the Trump administration decides to do away with the trade scheme, we will be ready to table a new trade relationship framework.' The meeting will also discuss ways for the US to attend the G20 summit in South Africa later this year. 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 ✕ Magwenya also dispelled speculative comparisons between Trump's prior engagement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the upcoming meeting with Ramaphosa. 'We don't think President Trump invited President Ramaphosa for that kind of treatment. There are issues of concern on the side of the US and our side as well… 'President Ramaphosa is not President Zelensky. He's got his own style of engaging, communicating, and so we cannot attribute that event to what may or may not happen tomorrow,' he stated. The official meeting between the two presidents is scheduled for Wednesday. IOL Politics
IOL News
05-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Employment Equity alone won't fix economic inequality
President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for the workers' rights to be protected to build an inclusive economy. President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted that not enough has been done to change the racial composition of the ownership, control and management of the economy despite improvements that came with the employment equity law. In his newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa delivered a sobering reflection on South Africa's slow progress in transforming the racial structure of economic power Ramaphosa advocated for the workers' rights to be protected to allow space for a more inclusive economy. He stated that the introduction of the employment equity law managed to reduce the inequality of workers in the workplace. This included the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, the prohibition of unfair discrimination based on sex, gender, pregnancy and marital status. 'Over the past 31 years, we have made considerable progress in improving our labour laws and protecting the rights of workers. 'We emerged from a past where black workers were deliberately denied their rights. For many years, black workers could not be organised into unions, through job reservation, they were denied access to certain occupations, and they often worked in unsafe and unhealthy conditions,' he said. However, Ramaphosa stressed that employment equity was not the only area where challenges remain. According to the president, the International Labour Organisation has highlighted problems of compliance with labour laws in South Africa, which will be part of the G20 presidency agenda. Despite these challenges, Ramaphosa said they will continue to use the progressive labour laws to correct the imbalances of the past and to ensure that these protections translate into tangible benefits for workers. 'We call on business in particular to take the necessary measures to ensure that their workplaces reflect both the letter and spirit of laws such as the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act,' he said. He maintained that companies should go beyond compliance to address the historical inequalities and create opportunities for underrepresented groups among their workers. 'They should also ensure that their workplaces are spaces where dignity, respect and human rights are upheld in daily practice and not just in policies,' he added. IOL Politics
