Latest news with #South-Africa
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Do Afrikaners want to take Trump up on his South African refugee offer?
Ulrich Janse van Vuuren has made it his passion to share and showcase some of South Africa's best features with his legion of social media followers. The 38-year-old white South African often takes snapshots capturing scenes such as a cold Johannesburg morning, the purple Jacaranda trees famously associated with Pretoria or Cape Town's popular beachfronts. "Promoting South Africa is something I am passionate about - I have no intention of taking up [US President Donald Trump's] offer because South Africa is my home," the proud Afrikaner tells the BBC, days after a small group of his fellow white compatriots left South Africa for their new life as refugees in the US. The US president, and his South-Africa born ally Elon Musk, says that white Afrikaners are being persecuted in their home country, and that they are being subjected to a "genocide". This is a claim that has been circulating for many years even though it has been widely discredited. Although some white farmers have been attacked and killed, South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, so this is an issue that affects all of its citizens, whatever their race. "For me, South Africa is home. It's a place where my roots and heritage are, where I can contribute to the story of our nation and make a meaningful impact," said Mr Janse van Vuuren, who has more than one million followers on social media. "I'm deeply invested in South Africa's success and I am proud to be part of its journey." And while he wished those who have taken up Trump's offer all the best in the US and urged them to "not look back", he insisted that none of them were refugees, but rather "opportunists". "They've enjoyed more than their share of South Africa's resources and privileges, and none are fleeing racial persecution," he said. Thirty years after the end of the racist system of apartheid, average living standards among South Africa's white community remain far higher than for the black majority. Mr Janse van Vuuren said that the debate about the status of Afrikaners in South Africa had only served to make him "more determined than ever to step up and contribute to South Africa in every way I can". Four centuries after the first group of Dutch settlers arrived in what is now South Africa, most Afrikaners regard themselves as fully African – as seen in the name – and no longer identify with their European roots. But many are unhappy both with the high crime rate and the government's policies aimed at reducing economic inequality in the country – especially a law passed earlier this year that allowed the government to seize land without compensation "when it is just and equitable and in the public interest". White South Africans are 7% of the country's population, but own half of its farmland. Some Afrikaners are farmers and see the law as being aimed at them. Trump said the legislation prompted him to offer to help resettle "Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination". The status of white South African farmers has long been a rallying cry on the right and far-right of American politics. But despite numerous claims in the past of the systematic targeting of the country's white Afrikaner minority group, local crime statistics figures paint a different picture. South Africa does not release crime figures based on race but the latest figures revealed that 6,953 people were murdered in the country between October and December 2024. Of these, 12 were killed in farm attacks. Of the 12, one was a farmer, while five were farm dwellers and four were employees, who are likely to have been black. On Monday, the first group of 59 Afrikaners granted refugee status arrived at the Dulles airport near Washington DC after choosing to leave their home country. The arrival of the group drew dismay and outrage across South Africa, as the country's civil society and leadership sought to dispel the claims that the white minority was being persecuted. "They are leaving because they don't want to embrace the changes that are taking place in our country and our constitution," said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He later labelled their move a "cowardly act" as he addressed farmers at a convention held in the Free State province. The president's sentiments were echoed by many South Africans, including Mr Janse van Vuuren, who is proud of his Afrikaner origins. While he was not raised in a farming family, he has relatives and friends in agriculture who have been victims of crime. He said that while it was undeniable that some farmers faced "genuine threats and hardships", it was important to be cautious "when discussing claims of persecution or discrimination that portray an entire group as victims of targeted violence or systemic oppression". While many white South Africans echo Mr Janse van Vuuren's sentiments, there are also those who see themselves as a persecuted minority. Among them is Ilse Steenkamp, who along with her family, has applied for the programme but has not received feedback. She did not want us to use her real name. Ms Steenkamp, 47, and her husband, both Afrikaners, were commercial farmers but said they had lost their land recently after it was invaded by people who "took over the whole farm" just as they were about to sell it in order to "downscale". She said they had bought the land two decades ago, after the end of apartheid. The people who invaded destroyed critical infrastructure, making it impossible to sell, she said. Despite efforts to have them removed through the courts, Ms Steenkamp said they were forced to abandon the land as it was repossessed by the bank. Ms Steenkamp said that while she and her family were familiar with South Africa's high crime levels and often tried to "not let it get us under", this latest attack "was the straw that broke the camel's back". Even though her family were eager to embrace Trump's offer when it was first announced, the mother-of-three told the BBC that the decision to leave "was very difficult because you're... leaving a whole way of life". Asked whether it was unfair that Afrikaners were being granted refugee status at a time when the US was cracking down on refugees and asylum seekers from everywhere else in the world, Ms Steenkamp said she "completely disagreed". She pointed to assaults on farmers, saying there was a "hatred that seems to go with these attacks". "Any farmer that has gone through that [kind of] attack and is now wanting to flee, I think should be treated as a refugee because they are fleeing from a government that will not even admit that these things are happening," she said. Sam Busà, 60, is another white South African who has applied for the refugee programme. She is the founder of Amerikaners, a platform aimed at providing information to white South Africans interested in the US resettlement offer. While Ms Busà, who is of English, not Afrikaner, descent, and her three sons have submitted their applications, they have not been interviewed yet. While it was initially believed that the executive order, vague in its original wording, only applied to white Afrikaners, Ms Busà said it "clearly is targeting white South Africans". On Monday, the US embassy in South Africa released a statement clarifying the criteria for those applying for resettlement, which said applicants need to be: Of South African nationality Afrikaner or from a racial minority Able to cite an incident of past persecution or fear of persecution in the future Responding to the criticism that they were not genuine refugees, Ms Busà said: "When someone strips away your hope for the future, even though you're not in a warzone... someone ripping away your dreams and hope for the future, that is very dramatic. It's a mental anguish and emotional abuse in a sense." What's really driving Trump's fury with South Africa? Is it checkmate for South Africa after Trump threats? But Dr Piet Croucamp, an associate professor in political studies at South Africa's North West University, disagreed, echoing the view that those taking up this offer were not refugees as "South Africa does not persecute people". Rather, he speculated that it may be those who have been victims of a crime and "could define their existence as an unsecure one". Dr Croucamp, who is an Afrikaner, said that while he did not expect a significant number of white South Africans to follow suit, there would always be "opportunistic" people taking advantage of the situation. "This is a small group of people leaving – the vast majority of Afrikaners are going nowhere and they have expressed themselves. Even the right-wing Afrikaners… [like] AfriForum and Solidarity have said they are not going anywhere. So even within Afrikaner circles, this is a small group of people," he said. Despite their criticism of the government and its race-based policies, prominent Afrikaner lobby groups AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement have both reiterated their intention to remain in South Africa. AfriForum said that while the government was to blame for the departure of the group granted refugee status, they would stay and continue their "efforts to help create a future for Afrikaners here at the southern tip of Africa". This is a view with which Mr Janse van Vuuren agreed. "While some may choose to leave as refugees, the majority of us are here to stay, working together to build a better future for all in South Africa." Racially charged row between Musk and South Africa over Starlink The expelled envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa row South Africa in 'uncharted waters' as budget splits coalition government Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Do Afrikaners want to take Trump up on his South African refugee offer?
Ulrich Janse van Vuuren has made it his passion to share and showcase some of South Africa's best features with his legion of social media followers. The 38-year-old white South African often takes snapshots capturing scenes such as a cold Johannesburg morning, the purple Jacaranda trees famously associated with Pretoria or Cape Town's popular beachfronts. "Promoting South Africa is something I am passionate about - I have no intention of taking up [US President Donald Trump's] offer because South Africa is my home," the proud Afrikaner tells the BBC, days after a small group of his fellow white compatriots left South Africa for their new life as refugees in the US. The US president, and his South-Africa born ally Elon Musk, says that white Afrikaners are being persecuted in their home country, and that they are being subjected to a "genocide". This is a claim that has been circulating for many years even though it has been widely discredited. Although some white farmers have been attacked and killed, South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, so this is an issue that affects all of its citizens, whatever their race. "For me, South Africa is home. It's a place where my roots and heritage are, where I can contribute to the story of our nation and make a meaningful impact," said Mr Janse van Vuuren, who has more than one million followers on social media. "I'm deeply invested in South Africa's success and I am proud to be part of its journey." And while he wished those who have taken up Trump's offer all the best in the US and urged them to "not look back", he insisted that none of them were refugees, but rather "opportunists". "They've enjoyed more than their share of South Africa's resources and privileges, and none are fleeing racial persecution," he said. Thirty years after the end of the racist system of apartheid, average living standards among South Africa's white community remain far higher than for the black majority. Mr Janse van Vuuren said that the debate about the status of Afrikaners in South Africa had only served to make him "more determined than ever to step up and contribute to South Africa in every way I can". Four centuries after the first group of Dutch settlers arrived in what is now South Africa, most Afrikaners regard themselves as fully African – as seen in the name – and no longer identify with their European roots. But many are unhappy both with the high crime rate and the government's policies aimed at reducing economic inequality in the country – especially a law passed earlier this year that allowed the government to seize land without compensation "when it is just and equitable and in the public interest". White South Africans are 7% of the country's population, but own half of its farmland. Some Afrikaners are farmers and see the law as being aimed at them. Trump said the legislation prompted him to offer to help resettle "Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination". The status of white South African farmers has long been a rallying cry on the right and far-right of American politics. But despite numerous claims in the past of the systematic targeting of the country's white Afrikaner minority group, local crime statistics figures paint a different picture. South Africa does not release crime figures based on race but the latest figures revealed that 6,953 people were murdered in the country between October and December 2024. Of these, 12 were killed in farm attacks. Of the 12, one was a farmer, while five were farm dwellers and four were employees, who are likely to have been black. On Monday, the first group of 59 Afrikaners granted refugee status arrived at the Dulles airport near Washington DC after choosing to leave their home country. The arrival of the group drew dismay and outrage across South Africa, as the country's civil society and leadership sought to dispel the claims that the white minority was being persecuted. "They are leaving because they don't want to embrace the changes that are taking place in our country and our constitution," said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He later labelled their move a "cowardly act" as he addressed farmers at a convention held in the Free State province. The president's sentiments were echoed by many South Africans, including Mr Janse van Vuuren, who is proud of his Afrikaner origins. While he was not raised in a farming family, he has relatives and friends in agriculture who have been victims of crime. He said that while it was undeniable that some farmers faced "genuine threats and hardships", it was important to be cautious "when discussing claims of persecution or discrimination that portray an entire group as victims of targeted violence or systemic oppression". While many white South Africans echo Mr Janse van Vuuren's sentiments, there are also those who see themselves as a persecuted minority. Among them is Ilse Steenkamp, who along with her family, has applied for the programme but has not received feedback. She did not want us to use her real name. Ms Steenkamp, 47, and her husband, both Afrikaners, were commercial farmers but said they had lost their land recently after it was invaded by people who "took over the whole farm" just as they were about to sell it in order to "downscale". She said they had bought the land two decades ago, after the end of apartheid. The people who invaded destroyed critical infrastructure, making it impossible to sell, she said. Despite efforts to have them removed through the courts, Ms Steenkamp said they were forced to abandon the land as it was repossessed by the bank. Ms Steenkamp said that while she and her family were familiar with South Africa's high crime levels and often tried to "not let it get us under", this latest attack "was the straw that broke the camel's back". Even though her family were eager to embrace Trump's offer when it was first announced, the mother-of-three told the BBC that the decision to leave "was very difficult because you're... leaving a whole way of life". Asked whether it was unfair that Afrikaners were being granted refugee status at a time when the US was cracking down on refugees and asylum seekers from everywhere else in the world, Ms Steenkamp said she "completely disagreed". She pointed to assaults on farmers, saying there was a "hatred that seems to go with these attacks". "Any farmer that has gone through that [kind of] attack and is now wanting to flee, I think should be treated as a refugee because they are fleeing from a government that will not even admit that these things are happening," she said. Sam Busà, 60, is another white South African who has applied for the refugee programme. She is the founder of Amerikaners, a platform aimed at providing information to white South Africans interested in the US resettlement offer. While Ms Busà, who is of English, not Afrikaner, descent, and her three sons have submitted their applications, they have not been interviewed yet. While it was initially believed that the executive order, vague in its original wording, only applied to white Afrikaners, Ms Busà said it "clearly is targeting white South Africans". On Monday, the US embassy in South Africa released a statement clarifying the criteria for those applying for resettlement, which said applicants need to be: Of South African nationality Afrikaner or from a racial minority Able to cite an incident of past persecution or fear of persecution in the future Responding to the criticism that they were not genuine refugees, Ms Busà said: "When someone strips away your hope for the future, even though you're not in a warzone... someone ripping away your dreams and hope for the future, that is very dramatic. It's a mental anguish and emotional abuse in a sense." What's really driving Trump's fury with South Africa? Is it checkmate for South Africa after Trump threats? But Dr Piet Croucamp, an associate professor in political studies at South Africa's North West University, disagreed, echoing the view that those taking up this offer were not refugees as "South Africa does not persecute people". Rather, he speculated that it may be those who have been victims of a crime and "could define their existence as an unsecure one". Dr Croucamp, who is an Afrikaner, said that while he did not expect a significant number of white South Africans to follow suit, there would always be "opportunistic" people taking advantage of the situation. "This is a small group of people leaving – the vast majority of Afrikaners are going nowhere and they have expressed themselves. Even the right-wing Afrikaners… [like] AfriForum and Solidarity have said they are not going anywhere. So even within Afrikaner circles, this is a small group of people," he said. Despite their criticism of the government and its race-based policies, prominent Afrikaner lobby groups AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement have both reiterated their intention to remain in South Africa. AfriForum said that while the government was to blame for the departure of the group granted refugee status, they would stay and continue their "efforts to help create a future for Afrikaners here at the southern tip of Africa". This is a view with which Mr Janse van Vuuren agreed. "While some may choose to leave as refugees, the majority of us are here to stay, working together to build a better future for all in South Africa." Racially charged row between Musk and South Africa over Starlink The expelled envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa row South Africa in 'uncharted waters' as budget splits coalition government Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Expelled South African envoy accuses Trump administration of racism
South Africa's former ambassador to the US has told the BBC it is 'self-evident' that there is racism within the Trump administration. Ebrahim Rasool, 62, was ordered to leave the US last week after Secretary of State Marco Rubio called him a "race-baiting politician who hates America". This came after Rasool accused President Donald Trump of trying to "project white victimhood as a dog whistle". Asked by the BBC's Newshour programme whether he believed the Trump administration was racist, Rasool said: "I think it is self-evident rather than anyone needing to be called out.' The BBC has asked the White House for comment. In one of his first interviews since being expelled from the US, Rasool added: "I'm saying when a piece of wood has a hinge, you begin to suspect it's a door." The diplomat cited the administration's emphasis on deportating migrants as well as the targeting of foreign students who had supported pro-Palestinian protests. He also accused Trump's team of mobilising "certain far-right communities". The Trump administration has denied accusations of racism. The president says he has a mandate to deport thousands of migrants who entered the US illegally after it formed a central part of his election campaign last year. Secretary of State Rubio has defended revoking student visas for those who "cause chaos" on college campuses. Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds US-South Africa relations have deteriorated sharply since Trump returned to power in mid-January. Since taking office, Trump and his ally, South-Africa born Elon Musk, have singled out South Africa for special criticism, in particular over its land reform policies. Trump has cut all aid to the country, and despite his hard-line stance on most refugees and asylum seekers he says that members of South Africa's white, Afrikaner community would be granted refugee status in the US, because of the persecution he said they faced at home. South Africa's government says it is trying to correct the country's racial and economic imbalances following decades of white-minority rule, by passing measures to help the country's black majority. Rasool denied that the Afrikaner population was facing discrimination. "It is an unadulterated lie because it tries to besmirch the very DNA of a new South Africa that was born under the leadership of someone like Nelson Mandela," he told the BBC World Service in one of his first interviews since arriving back in South Africa. When questioned whether his language was undiplomatic, Mr Rasool said: "It's not as if being a good boy warded off any punishment. It was that at some point South Africa's dignity is also at stake – you can't smile through too many untruths being told about your country." After returning home to a hero's welcome on Sunday, Rasool said he had no regrets about his remarks. The expelled envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa row Is it checkmate for South Africa after Trump threats? Race policies or Israel - what's really driving Trump's fury with South Africa? Asked by the BBC on Friday whether he was surprised by the reaction to his utterances, Rasool said the surprise for him was the "thinness of the skin" of the US administration and its "ability to dish out and not to accept an intellectual dissecting of what is [said]". "We've smiled through a lie about white genocide, we've smiled through the punishment of cutting all aid... we've smiled through all of that. "We've tried all the conventional ways to get [to] them until you hit a brick wall and you begin to say: This is not the normal phenomenon of diplomacy." While he accepted that his role as a diplomat was to try and "maintain a line of communication" and integrity, Rasool said: "Diplomacy is not to flatter your host into into liking you. Diplomacy is not lying along and making as if lies are truth. "I think what I did was to the best of my intellectual capacity to describe a phenomenon back home in order for me to alert them that it cannot be business as usual." Relations between the US and South African, characterised by ups and downs over the years, hit rock bottom earlier this year when Trump cut aid to the country citing the new Expropriation Law, which allows the government to confiscate land without compensation in certain circumstances. Another bone of contention for the US has been the case lodged by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023. South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians living in Gaza, an allegation Israel denies. Rasool returned to the US last year after having previously served as US ambassador from 2010 to 2015, when Barack Obama was president. Trump names conservative media critic as US ambassador to South Africa Claims of white genocide 'not real', South African court rules US cuts send South Africa's HIV treatment 'off a cliff' Ghosts of apartheid haunt South Africa as compensation anger brews Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Expelled South African envoy accuses Trump administration of racism
South Africa's former ambassador to the US has told the BBC it is 'self-evident' that there is racism within the Trump administration. Ebrahim Rasool, 62, was ordered to leave the US last week after Secretary of State Marco Rubio called him a "race-baiting politician who hates America". This came after Rasool accused President Donald Trump of trying to "project white victimhood as a dog whistle". Asked by the BBC's Newshour programme whether he believed the Trump administration was racist, Rasool said: "I think it is self-evident rather than anyone needing to be called out.' The BBC has asked the White House for comment. In one of his first interviews since being expelled from the US, Rasool added: "I'm saying when a piece of wood has a hinge, you begin to suspect it's a door." The diplomat cited the administration's emphasis on deportating migrants as well as the targeting of foreign students who had supported pro-Palestinian protests. He also accused Trump's team of mobilising "certain far-right communities". The Trump administration has denied accusations of racism. The president says he has a mandate to deport thousands of migrants who entered the US illegally after it formed a central part of his election campaign last year. Secretary of State Rubio has defended revoking student visas for those who "cause chaos" on college campuses. Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds US-South Africa relations have deteriorated sharply since Trump returned to power in mid-January. Since taking office, Trump and his ally, South-Africa born Elon Musk, have singled out South Africa for special criticism, in particular over its land reform policies. Trump has cut all aid to the country, and despite his hard-line stance on most refugees and asylum seekers he says that members of South Africa's white, Afrikaner community would be granted refugee status in the US, because of the persecution he said they faced at home. South Africa's government says it is trying to correct the country's racial and economic imbalances following decades of white-minority rule, by passing measures to help the country's black majority. Rasool denied that the Afrikaner population was facing discrimination. "It is an unadulterated lie because it tries to besmirch the very DNA of a new South Africa that was born under the leadership of someone like Nelson Mandela," he told the BBC World Service in one of his first interviews since arriving back in South Africa. When questioned whether his language was undiplomatic, Mr Rasool said: "It's not as if being a good boy warded off any punishment. It was that at some point South Africa's dignity is also at stake – you can't smile through too many untruths being told about your country." After returning home to a hero's welcome on Sunday, Rasool said he had no regrets about his remarks. The expelled envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa row Is it checkmate for South Africa after Trump threats? Race policies or Israel - what's really driving Trump's fury with South Africa? Asked by the BBC on Friday whether he was surprised by the reaction to his utterances, Rasool said the surprise for him was the "thinness of the skin" of the US administration and its "ability to dish out and not to accept an intellectual dissecting of what is [said]". "We've smiled through a lie about white genocide, we've smiled through the punishment of cutting all aid... we've smiled through all of that. "We've tried all the conventional ways to get [to] them until you hit a brick wall and you begin to say: This is not the normal phenomenon of diplomacy." While he accepted that his role as a diplomat was to try and "maintain a line of communication" and integrity, Rasool said: "Diplomacy is not to flatter your host into into liking you. Diplomacy is not lying along and making as if lies are truth. "I think what I did was to the best of my intellectual capacity to describe a phenomenon back home in order for me to alert them that it cannot be business as usual." Relations between the US and South African, characterised by ups and downs over the years, hit rock bottom earlier this year when Trump cut aid to the country citing the new Expropriation Law, which allows the government to confiscate land without compensation in certain circumstances. Another bone of contention for the US has been the case lodged by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023. South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians living in Gaza, an allegation Israel denies. Rasool returned to the US last year after having previously served as US ambassador from 2010 to 2015, when Barack Obama was president. Trump names conservative media critic as US ambassador to South Africa Claims of white genocide 'not real', South African court rules US cuts send South Africa's HIV treatment 'off a cliff' Ghosts of apartheid haunt South Africa as compensation anger brews Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ebrahim Rasool: Expelled South African envoy accuses Trump administration of racism
South Africa's former ambassador to the US has told the BBC it is 'self-evident' that there is racism within the Trump Rasool, 62, was ordered to leave the US last week after Secretary of State Marco Rubio called him a "race-baiting politician who hates America". This came after Rasool accused President Donald Trump of trying to "project white victimhood as a dog whistle".Asked by the BBC's Newshour programme whether he believed the Trump administration was racist, Rasool said: "I think it is self-evident rather than anyone needing to be called out.'The BBC has asked the White House for comment. In one of his first interviews since being expelled from the US, Rasool added: "I'm saying when a piece of wood has a hinge, you begin to suspect it's a door." The diplomat cited the administration's emphasis on deportating migrants as well as the targeting of foreign students who had supported pro-Palestinian protests. He also accused Trump's team of mobilising "certain far-right communities".The Trump administration has denied accusations of racism. The president says he has a mandate to deport thousands of migrants who entered the US illegally after it formed a central part of his election campaign last year. Secretary of State Rubio has defended revoking student visas for those who "cause chaos" on college to the full interview on BBC SoundsUS-South Africa relations have deteriorated sharply since Trump returned to power in mid-January. Since taking office, Trump and his ally, South-Africa born Elon Musk, have singled out South Africa for special criticism, in particular over its land reform has cut all aid to the country, and despite his hard-line stance on most refugees and asylum seekers he says that members of South Africa's white, Afrikaner community would be granted refugee status in the US, because of the persecution he said they faced at home. South Africa's government says it is trying to correct the country's racial and economic imbalances following decades of white-minority rule, by passing measures to help the country's black denied that the Afrikaner population was facing discrimination."It is an unadulterated lie because it tries to besmirch the very DNA of a new South Africa that was born under the leadership of someone like Nelson Mandela," he told the BBC World Service in one of his first interviews since arriving back in South questioned whether his language was undiplomatic, Mr Rasool said: "It's not as if being a good boy warded off any punishment. It was that at some point South Africa's dignity is also at stake – you can't smile through too many untruths being told about your country."After returning home to a hero's welcome on Sunday, Rasool said he had no regrets about his remarks. Asked by the BBC on Friday whether he was surprised by the reaction to his utterances, Rasool said the surprise for him was the "thinness of the skin" of the US administration and its "ability to dish out and not to accept an intellectual dissecting of what is [said]"."We've smiled through a lie about white genocide, we've smiled through the punishment of cutting all aid... we've smiled through all of that. "We've tried all the conventional ways to get [to] them until you hit a brick wall and you begin to say: This is not the normal phenomenon of diplomacy."While he accepted that his role as a diplomat was to try and "maintain a line of communication" and integrity, Rasool said: "Diplomacy is not to flatter your host into into liking you. Diplomacy is not lying along and making as if lies are truth. "I think what I did was to the best of my intellectual capacity to describe a phenomenon back home in order for me to alert them that it cannot be business as usual."Relations between the US and South African, characterised by ups and downs over the years, hit rock bottom earlier this year when Trump cut aid to the country citing the new Expropriation Law, which allows the government to confiscate land without compensation in certain bone of contention for the US has been the case lodged by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians living in Gaza, an allegation Israel returned to the US last year after having previously served as US ambassador from 2010 to 2015, when Barack Obama was president. Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
