Latest news with #InternationalRelationsandCooperation
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- The Citizen
Dirco confirms death of SA citizen in West Virginia, US
South Africa's embassy in Washington is providing full consular assistance to the family Government has confirmed that a South African citizen has died in the United States (US). International Relations Department (Dirco) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the individual passed away in West Virginia. 'The government of the Republic of South Africa confirms with deep sadness the tragic passing of a South African citizen in West Virginia, United States of America. 'The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, has extended condolences to the bereaved family during this profoundly difficult time,' Phiri said. Consular assistance Phiri added that South Africa's embassy in Washington, D.C., is providing full consular assistance to the family. 'The circumstances surrounding this tragic death remain under active investigation by the relevant United States authorities. 'Out of respect for the ongoing investigative process, the sensitivity of the matter, and the privacy of the grieving family, the South African Government will not be providing further detailed commentary at this time,' Phiri said. ALSO READ: KZN man working in US arrested for allegedly distributing child porn Murder According to Women for Change, the person has been identified as 32-year-old Kim White Towne. Towne was allegedly murdered by her husband, Alexander Towne, in their home in Chantilly, Virginia, United States, on 24 May 2025. In 2023, Towne, originally from Cape Town, moved to the United States with Alexander, a US citizen and military veteran. Argument On 24 May 2025, just two hours before her death, Towne reportedly called a family member, expressing fear and distress over her violent marriage. The family member urged her to contact the police. It is alleged that the argument between Kim and Alexander escalated, and he fatally strangled her. After the alleged brutal murder, the husband reportedly called the police and confessed to assaulting and killing his wife. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Towne's lifeless body. Arrest Alexander was arrested, charged with second-degree murder, and is currently being held without bail. It is reported that their three-year-old child was inside the home when the incident occurred. In 2024, Towne had reportedly obtained a protection order against her husband, which led to his removal from their home. She stayed with a family member for some time, but a few months later, the couple reconciled. ALSO READ: Afrikaners who accepted Trump's refugee offer 'know there's no persecution in SA' – expert
The South African
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
SA and US have 'everything to gain' from closer relations
President Cyril Ramaphosa has asserted that South Africa and the United States of America have much to gain from working together. Image: Wikimedia Commons Home » SA and US have 'everything to gain' from closer relations – Cyril Ramaphosa President Cyril Ramaphosa has asserted that South Africa and the United States of America have much to gain from working together. Image: Wikimedia Commons President Cyril Ramaphosa has asserted that South Africa and the United States of America have much to gain from working President was addressing South Africans through his weekly newsletter. The President, together with a delegation including Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, visited the US last week. 'South Africa has always regarded the United States as a strong investment and trading partner. 'Our countries and our economies are bound together in many ways. We went to Washington to establish a basis for greater economic cooperation and to address some of the challenges that have recently arisen in relations between our two countries,' President Cyril Ramaphosa challenges stem from a false narrative peddled by some that there is a genocide occurring in South Africa and what the President called an 'orchestrated campaign of violence against white farmers'.'In this context, it was critical for us to engage directly with the US administration to correct misinformation and provide a true account of the progress we have made as a democracy and the many and complex challenges we still face,' the President said on week, police quarterly statistics revealed that over the last quarter of 2024/25, there were six farm attacks – down from 12 in the previous two farm owners killed in the attacks were African. Only one white farm dweller was involved in one of the attacks. President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that despite these challenges, the two countries also came to agreement regarding the G20 . 'President Trump agreed that the US should continue playing a key role in the G20, including attending the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg later this year, where South Africa will hand over the presidency of the G20 to the US,' he said. President Cyril Ramaphosa said that while discussions were held on that misinformation, the 'overarching aim of our visit was to deepen our strategic economic partnership with the US as our second-largest trading partner'.'The US is a key export market for South African goods, products and services, including motor vehicles, agricultural products and, increasingly, critical minerals. At the same time, we buy many goods and services from the US.'There is potential to increase and diversify trade between our two countries in areas such as gas, mining and critical minerals, agriculture and nuclear products.'The US is a major source of investment in South Africa. There are over 600 US companies, many with a long-established presence here, who continue to expand their investments,' he the economic tariffs that the US has been touting for countries all over the world, President Ramaphosa revealed that the two countries agreed on an 'economic cooperation channel' between the two countries in a bid to 'engage further on tariffs and a broad range of trade matters'.'We also discussed exploring new opportunities for companies from South Africa and the US in each other's markets. We were able to update US officials on the ongoing structural reform process underway to improve the ease of doing business and facilitate a favourable investment climate.'We are operating from a firm base. Last year's country Investment Climate Summit published by the US State Department highlights South Africa being an attractive investment hub, citing key factors such as deep and well-regulated capital markets, strengths in manufacturing stable institutions, an independent judiciary and robust legal sector, respect for the rule of law, a mature financial and services sector, and experienced local partners. 'We have extended an invitation to President Trump to send a government and business delegation to South Africa to explore opportunities for deepening investment and trade,' he said. The President reaffirmed that cooperation between the two countries 'remains firmly in place more than 30 years later'. 'Our successful working visit to the US reaffirmed the importance of keeping the channels of dialogue open. The willingness of the US to engage with South Africa on resetting our relationship is testament to the strength of the bilateral relationship.'As South Africans, as a sovereign and independent nation, we are always ready to acknowledge and address our problems, just as we are always ready to engage our critics in meaningful discussion. 'We are pleased that our visit to Washington established a basis for greater engagement and cooperation. Our two countries have everything to gain from working more closely together,' President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded. How long do you think until South Africa and the United States are back on the same page? 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. How much of a soccer fanatic are you? Take our quiz and let's find out!
The South African
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Here's the real reason why Mcebisi Jonas was NOT at the White House
The South African Presidency has firmly denied claims that Special Envoy to the United States, Mcebisi Jonas, was excluded from President Cyril Ramaphosa's high-level delegation to Washington due to visa complications. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya clarified that Jonas's absence during the meeting with US President Donald Trump was at his own request and had no bearing on the official programme. 'The Presidency acknowledges recent commentary regarding Mr Jonas and deems it prudent to provide clarity,' Magwenya stated. 'Initial interpretations of procedural matters, communicated in good faith, have been amended following confirmation that Mr Jonas holds a valid US visa.' Speculation around Jonas's exclusion intensified after reports surfaced alleging the Trump administration raised objections linked to past remarks Jonas made, referring to Trump as 'a racist, a homophobe, and a narcissistic right-winger.' The comments, made in 2020 when Jonas was not serving in government, resurfaced following his appointment as envoy in April. In response, Mcebisi Jonas said, 'People move on and confront challenges of the time. The task at hand is to work on the relations between the two countries.' While Magwenya reiterated that Jonas's absence was voluntary, he also acknowledged during an interview with Radio 702 that there had been 'displeasure' from the Trump administration over Jonas's past remarks – a sentiment echoed in a post by respected journalist Clement Manyathela on X. Magwenya added that the Presidency may reconsider Jonas's role should tensions remain unresolved, noting that the goal remains to maintain constructive diplomatic engagement between South Africa and the United States. Without Mcebisi Jonas, the delegation comprised Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen. Cyril Ramaphosa also leveraged President Trump's passion for golf by inviting South African pro golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. In addition, Ramaphosa was accompanied by Johann Rupert, the Founder of Richemont and Chairman of Remgro. The delegation also included Vice President of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Adrian Gore and President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Zingiswa Losi. 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.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Ramaphosa's Oval Office diplomacy: Resetting US–SA bilateral ties
Yesterday evening (South African Time), our President sat down with US President Donald Trump for what was probably one of the most highly anticipated events in South Africa's political history since the dawn of democracy, an Oval Office encounter orchestrated to reset strained bilateral relations between the United States and our nation. Penning this analysis, I was reminded by just how much has happened in so little time to sour ties with 'the most powerful economy in the world.' In recent months, President Trump has repeatedly amplified allegations of a 'white genocide' against South African farmers, even issuing an executive order to grant refugee status to Afrikaans farmers, a move that took many by surprise. Washington also cut critical aid for HIV and TB research, a decision that threatens decades of public-health progress. Our Ambassador to the US, Mahamoud Rasool, was expelled amid growing diplomatic tension, while tech titan Elon Musk publicly reproached our 'race-based' black-empowerment laws as a barrier to establishing Starlink's headquarters here . Add to this the AfriForum delegation's visit to Mar-a-Lago earlier this year, seeking Trump's intervention to dismantle those very laws, and it becomes clear how little was off the table when President Ramaphosa boarded that plane to Washington. Yet here we were, in the Oval Office, facing a barrage of YouTube clips depicting Julius Malema's most incendiary remarks and graphic alleged memorial sites of murdered white farmers. By all rights, it could have become a spectacle. Instead, what unfolded was a masterclass in measured statesmanship. On Trump's side, Elon Musk and Vice-President J.D. Vance were present, silent throughout the formal proceedings, though it's understood they held off-the-record discussions. Representing South Africa was a carefully curated, diverse cohort: Minister Ronald Lamola (International Relations and Cooperation), Minister Parks Tau (Trade and Industry), Minister John Steenhuisen (Agriculture), business titan Johann Rupert, and golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. This carefully crafted entourage sent a clear message: South Africa is a rainbow nation, united in its diversity and committed to honest dialogue. Of course, the masterstroke was including familiar faces, individuals whom President Trump already knew and respected, thereby creating both common ground and credibility. President Ramaphosa, unflustered, listened respectfully, then addressed each concern with calm clarity, denouncing any suggestion of genocide, reaffirming our violent-crime challenges as shared concerns for all South Africans, and highlighting the rule of law that governs our land. How did this breakthrough happen? Diplomatic channels alone did not deliver it. It took 'golf diplomacy' and the quiet influence of our own power brokers. Johann Rupert, Ramaphosa's mutual friend with Trump broke the logjam by initiating their first post-election call and assuring the US President that there have been no violent land seizures of white-owned farms. The tone remained cordial throughout. Minister John Steenhuisen was forced to concede that South Africa has a rural safety problem that needed to be addressed. Business tycoon Johann Ruper added that crime affects every citizen, white and black alike, stating 'We have too many deaths, but it's across the board' – underscoring that our law-and-order challenges are national in scope, not racial . By the meeting's close, Trump's stance appeared to soften somewhat; leaving participation in this year's G20 Summit open. Trump also seemed to adopt a 'let's see what happens' posture on our ICJ case concerning Gaza, signalling that it was simply a fight for another day. For our part, we left the Oval Office having survived what might have been a far greater diplomatic blow and having opened a door that had been firmly shut. Was Ramaphosa right to remain so composed? In dealing with someone who seldom changes his mind, emotion often achieves nothing. As any negotiator knows, you must respect your counterpart's style, even if they view power as performance art, as Trump himself once admitted when he quipped, 'This is going to be great for television.' Our President understood that reality: by matching calm with candid engagement, he earned more goodwill than any outburst could have achieved. Now, as South Africans, we should rally behind this moment of unity and strategic optimism. Yes, our country faces violent crime, entrenched inequality and chronic unemployment. Yes, without a robust economic deal, massive job losses loom, as Cosatu's leadership has warned. But yesterday's Oval Office meeting proved that when we marshal our collective strengths, our world-class negotiator at the helm, our respected business and sporting figures by his side, and a clear narrative of our nation's achievements, we can turn pressure into opportunity. Let us carry this spirit forward: into our homes, our boardrooms, and our communities. Because if we can stand firm against the White House's theatrics, certainly we can tackle the real challenges at home, and bring about the change we so urgently need. 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.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa's White House blunder: Chaos and missed chances
South Africa's diplomatic blunder: A missed opportunity at the White Housee Image: GCIS South Africa's diplomatic outing to the White House on Wednesday has been widely criticised as a humiliating chapter in the country's international relations, exposing a lack of preparation, coordination, and strategic messaging. The visit, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was meant to defend South Africa's reputation amid unfounded allegations of genocide and to counter growing US criticism. Instead, it has become a symbol of diplomatic disarray. On Wednesday, Ramaphosa met with US President Donald Trump in the White House, a session marred by awkward moments and uncoordinated responses. The meeting followed Trump's provocative claims linking South Africa to 'genocide' and his controversial decision to offer refugee status to minority white farmers, claiming they faced persecution. Ramaphosa's delegation included a curious mix of officials and personalities. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade Parks Tau, and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, who is also the leader of the Democratic Alliance. Alongside them, golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, business leaders Johann Rupert and Adrian Gore, and COSATU President Zingiswa Losi sought to bolster South Africa's image. However, the delegation's performance was widely regarded as ineffective. At one point, Trump turned to the golfers, prodding Goosen for his opinion. The golfer responded that his relatives on farms lived behind electric fences in fear of crime - an anecdote that only reinforced the perception of chaos and violence rather than dispelling it. Silent Diplomacy and Missed Opportunities Political analysts observed that what stood out most was the absence of clarity from South African officials in the core diplomatic team. 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 ✕ Lamola, Ntshavheni, and Tau remained silent during the exchanges, failing to articulate South Africa's official stance or challenge false narratives. Losi attempted to shift the conversation by emphasising that crime is a universal issue, not racially targeted. Still, analysts felt her remarks lacked depth and impact as they only painted the country as a violent nation. Steenhuisen sought to defend the country by highlighting his party's coalition role and opposition to the parties representing predominantly black Africans, the EFF and the MK party. According to political pundits, this strategic misstep did little to highlight that the Constitution allows for political participation and freedom of speech. Meanwhile, the delegation's ineffective approach and clarity left many observers questioning whether South Africa was adequately prepared. Analysts Criticise the Lack of Strategy Geopolitical analyst Joe Mhlanga criticised the delegation's approach. 'This visit was a missed opportunity. The fact that even the President said Trump asked the golfers to be brought along with this delegation showed a lack of seriousness. 'Trump perceives South Africa as run by a white minority, and the delegation failed to articulate South Africa's true position effectively.' Mhlanga further pointed out that the delegation appeared to be reacting on the spot rather than presenting a unified, strategic front. 'They should have had prepared responses, especially regarding the false claims about genocide and land reform,' he added. 'Instead, they gave weak answers, and the foreign minister said nothing substantive.' Failure to Defend South Africa's Reputation Professor Christopher Isike from the University of Pretoria highlighted the delegation's failure to clarify key issues. 'There was an opportunity to state clearly that there's no evidence linking political songs or land reform to violence or genocide,' he noted. 'The absence of such clarifications only allowed false narratives to gain traction.' He argued that the delegation also failed to demonstrate South Africa's demographic and social realities, neglecting to provide visuals or data that could dispel misconceptions. He said that they appeared passive and unprepared instead of showcasing the country's progress and diversity. Contradictions and Lack of Cohesion Adding to the diplomatic chaos, just days earlier, Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe declared during the minerals briefing in parliament that South Africa would not hand over critical minerals to the US. Yet, during the White House meeting, President Ramaphosa suggested cooperation—highlighting a disconnect within the government. This internal lack of coordination was further underscored by the absence of clear messaging on crucial issues like land reform and economic inequality, which are central to South Africa's national discourse.
