Latest news with #Kathrada
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa ‘satisfied' with Mcebisi Jonas's work despite being snubbed by Trump
There are reports that Mcebisi Jonas is unable to be effective in his role as US envoy. Mcebisi Jonas speaks at Semafor's The Next 3 Billion Summit at The Pierre Hotel on 24 September 2024 in New York. Picture:Despite reports that Mcebisi Jonas has received the cold shoulder from US President Donald Trump's administration, President Cyril Ramaphosa is 'satisfied' with the work of his special envoy. In April, Ramaphosa appointed Jonas to improve South Africa's relations with the US. Some questioned this appointment when comments made by Jonas during an Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Annual Lecture in 2020 resurfaced. The former deputy finance minister said Trump was a racist and narcissistic. Jonas gets cold shoulder from Trump City Press reports there are growing concerns that Jonas is struggling to gain access to Trump's administration. 'Government has been without authoritative representation in the US since March, even though America is SA's second-largest trading partner,' a source told the publication. Jonas's lack of progress in the US has led to calls for Ramaphosa to quickly find a new ambassador to the US. The previous South African ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled for criticising Trump's administration. This came after he said the US president was leading a white supremacist movement. Absent from Ramaphosa's delegation Claims that Jonas was being snubbed by Trump grew after he was not included in Ramaphosa's delegation that visited the Oval Office in May. Some also said Jonas was not given a US visa. At the time, the Presidency dismissed those allegations. 'Initial interpretations of procedural matters, communicated in good faith, have been amended following confirmation that Mr Jonas holds a valid visa for travel to the United States of America,' it said. ALSO READ: Presidency clarifies Mcebisi Jonas' absence from Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump It said Jonas helped Ramaphosa prepare for the meeting with Trump. 'Mr. Jonas contributed to preparatory engagements ahead of the meeting between President Ramaphosa and President Donald Trump, including consultations abroad. His absence from Washington, at his own request, has no bearing on the President's official programme.' US tariffs The struggles of Jonas to make inroads in the US have come into sharper focus since Trump announced he would impose 30% import tariffs on South Africa from 1 August. Ramaphosa has since accused the US government of reaching the 30% figure through a flawed interpretation of trade data. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa disputes Trump's 30% tariff claim as 'not accurate' Jonas's achievements? When asked by City Press what Jonas has achieved since he took on the role of US envoy, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya refused to divulge any details. 'The work of envoys is not a public affair, they are not ministers or publicly elected officers. His work and how he carries it out is not a matter of collective responsibility with anyone. It's solely to support the president,' said Magwenya.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Government's dialogue plan, costing R700 million, is facing public backlash
The exclusion of the Mbeki, Mandela, and Kathrada foundations from the National Dialogue has sparked backlash, with analysts suggesting it's because they've been openly critical of Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership. The South African government's plan to spend R700 million on a national dialogue, labelled 'Codesa 2.0,' has sparked intense public criticism and deepened concerns over the country's leadership priorities. Announced as a nation-building platform to address South Africa's social and political divisions, the initiative promises community dialogues, a national convention, and a 30-year action plan. Yet for many South Africans facing poverty, unemployment, and a failing public service system, the plan feels disconnected from everyday realities. 'Dialogue is important, yes, but R700 million for what?' asked political analyst Sibongile Mafu. 'To talk while people are unemployed, hungry, and living without basic services?' The programme includes a National Convention in August 2025 involving over 1 000 delegates, followed by six to nine months of public engagements. An Eminent Persons Group will also be appointed to serve as ambassadors, and the process aims to produce a long-term plan focused on jobs, inequality, education, health care, and land reform. However, critics argue that the plan is light on measurable outcomes and heavy on cost. Civil society leaders and analysts warn that the initiative risks becoming another bloated government project that benefits consultants and politically connected insiders, without delivering meaningful change. 'This is another elite circle pretending to solve problems while enriching themselves,' said Vuyo Dlamini of the Civic Accountability Forum. 'We have seen this before — commissions with big budgets, catchy slogans, but no real accountability or results.' The plan has also drawn comparisons to the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into state capture, which cost over R1 billion. While it exposed widespread corruption, few prosecutions have followed, leading many to doubt whether high-cost state-led initiatives can achieve real reform. A key concern raised by the public is the apparent silence around unresolved political scandals, especially the Phala Phala affair involving President Cyril Ramaphosa. Social media users have warned that unless the dialogue directly addresses such issues, it will be seen as lacking credibility. 'If this dialogue avoids Phala Phala, it fails before it starts,' one post read. 'It will be another expensive distraction from real accountability.' Economist Lindiwe Radebe echoed these concerns: 'We do not need another national conversation, we need delivery. People are desperate, not for more speeches, but for working water systems, electricity, and jobs.' Amid growing anger, hashtags like #TalkShopForFriends and #R700MillionForWhat have gained traction online, reflecting frustration with a political establishment that many see as out of touch. As the project prepares to launch, trust in the process remains fragile. Far from uniting the nation, the dialogue may be highlighting just how wide the gap between citizens and their government has become.
Memri
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Canadian Islamic Scholar Younus Kathrada Praises 10 Year Old Gazan Boys Who Say They Want To Become Martyrs, Girls Who Say They Want To Give Birth To Martyrs; Adds: Oh Allah, Destroy The Jews, Shatter
In an April 18, 2025 Friday sermon, Canadian Islamic scholar Younus Kathrada praised ten-year-old Palestinian boys who say: "I live to be a martyr." Kathrada said that there are many such boys who want to fight for the sake of Allah, defend Islam and the Muslims, and defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He went on to say: "It's the young girls as well… Did you not hear the little girl who said: 'I want to grow up, and I want to get married, and I want to give birth to and raise martyrs'?" Sheikh Kathrada, who was speaking in Victoria, BC, concluded his sermon by cursing the Jews and praying for their destruction. The sermon was posted on the YouTube channel of the Muslim Youth Victoria Islamic Centre. In the past, a scheduled lecture by Kathrada on the University of Victoria campus was cancelled following media criticism citing MEMRI clips of Kathrada praising Jihad and denigrating Jews. Younus Kathrada: "Kids, some of them 10 years old... I'm sure that you've heard some of those clips [from Gaza], where a child says: 'I live to be a martyr.' In other words, I live to die... Yes! 'I live to fight for the sake of Allah. I live to defend Islam and the Muslims. I live to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque.' Yes, there are a lot of examples of them. [...] "And you know something? It's not just the young boys. It's the young girls as well. Some of those little girls are braver than every single one of us put together. One little girl is braver than all of us. Did you not hear that little girl say: 'I want to grow up, and I want to get married, and I want to give birth to and raise martyrs.' Yes, by Allah. What kind of bravery is that? [...] "What are we doing for the Islamic nation? What are we doing for Islam and the Muslims? Those young kids – they are literally putting their lives on the line. They will be killed, many of them. Why? Only because they say: 'There is no god but Allah. We are Muslims, we want to live by Islam, we will protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque.' This is why they are being killed. [...] "Oh Allah, grant victory to our brothers, and the mujahideen in Palestine and in Gaza. Oh Allah, grant them victory over Your enemy – the Jews. Oh Allah, destroy the Jews. Oh Allah, destroy the Jews. Oh Allah, destroy the Jews. Oh Allah, destroy them, for they are no match for You. Oh Allah, make their plots backfire on them. Oh Allah, shake the earth beneath their feet. Oh Allah, shatter their unity, disperse their gathering, and demonstrate upon them the wonders of Your might. Oh Allah, bring down upon them Your punishment, from which criminals cannot escape."
