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IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Elon Musk's influence on Trump: A closer look at the Afrikaner genocide debate
US president Donald Trump shakes hands with billionaire businessman Elon Musk on May 30 before their public feud. Image: Allison Robbert / AFP The public fallout between US President Donald Trump and South African-born billionaire Elon Musk is not bothering one of the political parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU). Trump and Musk took to their social media platforms this week over differences in his administration's spending. Musk stated that Trump would not have won the 2024 presidential elections without his campaign spending hundreds of US dollars. Freedom Front Plus leader Dr Corné Mulder said he did not believe the approach by Trump or his administration would be changed due to the bitter feud and affect its response to allegations of 'genocide' against white Afrikaner farmers in South Africa. 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 ✕ Mulder was responding to questions about whether the fallout could see Trump dramatically changing his views on the white Afrikaner genocide in South Africa. Musk is widely regarded as a person who wielded immense influence on Trump. 'It is incorrect to assume that US foreign policy is based on the influence of specific individuals. Unhappiness with SA is not something new. Even during the (Joe) Biden administration, a bipartisan bill was introduced in the US Congress to relook the US-SA relationship,' he said. Political analyst Professor Dirk Kotzé said Musk has in the past been influential in these issues, but there are many other South Africans who are also influential and close to Trump. 'So it will not necessarily change this matter, I don't think Musk was the one who dealt with or promoted the issue of genocide necessarily, he was more there in terms of black economic empowerment and employment equity and those government policies that he criticised, so he will continue with that until there is an agreement about Starlink,' Kotzé explained. He added: 'When it comes to the Afrikaner issues and what is called genocide, I don't think he was ever a key person in that, I think that is more where the conservatives – AfriForum, Solidarity, (South African-born American conservative political commentator and radio host) Joe Pollak and others – came in to promote that idea.' Kotzé said his understanding is that there has been a smaller, second group that went to the US after the earlier AfriForum-Solidarity delegation, but without any public attention because it created much more disturbances within US politics in general. 'So I think it has become a controversial issue in the US, and Trump wants to avoid that. I can see that this is not going to be a public project in the future, it is not something they will announce in the media, welcome them, and have public events,' he predicted. Kotzé also anticipates that this initiative or project will, over time, actually slow down. 'I don't see it developing strong momentum that it will be something very prominent in the future. I think it is going to disappear over time,' he said.
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Resetting US-South Africa relations: Insights from Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump
US President Donald Trump hands papers with news clippings of alleged farm murders to President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Wednesday. Image: AFP Despite the controversial debates doing the rounds on the President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump meeting at the Oval Office, Ramaphosa and team deftly manoeuvred themselves and notched some wins in a very difficult mission. South Africa's objective was a reset of the relations with the United States though the issue on the table was some 'so-called genocide'. Obviously, the genocide accusation could be a red herring as there are underlying dynamics, which include Starlink, Russia and China, the BRICS fraternity and, without doubt, South Africa taking Israel, a key US ally, to the International Court of Justice. Getting back to the meeting, many had feared a repeat of Trump's treatment of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy. There was no humiliation. After all, Ramaphosa had tactically included in his team white South Africans whose word Trump could not question. One of them, Johan Rupert, painted the picture as it is; that of general lawlessness that is not aimed at any racial group and affects everybody. There is no genocide Rupert said, and John Steenhuisen endorsed this. Trump had to believe Rupert, a pillar of the Afrikaner community, rather than some 49 inconsequentials. Trump is aware that Rupert, a respected South African, is deeply invested in the economy, contributes to transformation and supports local philanthropic ventures. He will not lie as he has a lot to lose. After the open session Trump and Ramaphosa had their closed meeting. In a media session after the closed meeting, an upbeat Ramaphosa alluded that relations with the US are going back to normal. Minister Parks Tau confirms that South Africa submitted a framework on future US-SA trade relations which will be the base of the next round of discussions. The directive for the framework was agreed between Trump and Ramaphosa and is the basis of the next round of talks. This round could include addressing US Congress which is dealing with Agoa. In addition, and in terms of the trade talks, Tau says we could soon be importing US liquid gas as our country is running out of supplies while, on the other hand, the US could be importing 40000 auto units duty free every year. Amendments to black econonic empowerment (BEE) regulations could see Starlink come to South Africa. According to reports, the amendments will require that the communications regulator, Icasa, harmonise BEE legislation with the Electronic Communications Act and the information and communication technology sector code. Icasa will thus effectively allow an alternative to the 30% equity requirement, with as equity equivalents (EE) designed to allow all of the big international tech companies to operate in South Africa without selling a slice of their equity. This is not new as four major companies previously qualified in terms of EE. If the above is contextualised on talks between Trump and the Canadian prime minister and meetings on trade between delegations from China and the US, Trump could be tactically reconfiguring his approach as against his previous aggression. Ramaphosa has scored big. However, South Africa must urgently deal with three issues that compromise its relations with other countries or it is back to square one. The first is Afrikaner unhappiness; the second is the unemployment and poverty that are searing communities. The third, and needless to add, is the rampant crime and corruption. Regarding Afrikaner sensitivities, we would not be here if some Afrikaners did not, rightly or wrongly, feel persecuted. Hence, there was a sinking feeling when Trump flighted the EFF rally in which Julius Malema led the 'Kill the Boer' song. In addition are the recent visits and hostile references to Orania, Kleinfontein and other Afrikaner communities. As these visits and the song impact on Afrikaner sensitivities, they also rattle the outside world as has happened and we must thus ask ourselves if it is worth it. For the record, the singers of the song and those who go on the visits are not committing any crime. One is worried about the impact. After all, there is no genocide and the Afrikaners who went to Trump are a minority of the minority Afrikaner community. They also know they were lying when they spoke of genocide. Regardless, they got the attention which put us in the Trump challenge. We do not need this, also in terms of national cohesion and uniting the country under the flag. Let us recall that in the original equality court judgment 'the historical struggle background to the song' was acknowledged. But, there was an acceptance that 'certain words in certain struggle songs may be experienced as hurtful by members of minority communities'. Hence, the judgment reads, '…the parties commit to deepening dialogue…to promote understanding of their respective cultural heritages and for the purpose of contributing to the development of a future common South African heritage'. There is thus no laissez faire, as with other songs, on the singing of 'Kill the Boer'. The same can be said of Orania and Kleinfontein as, in any case, what is wrong with people of a specific cultural identity keeping to themselves? If we stick to the principle of keeping to themselves; there are countless black communities who because of their culture keep to themselves. Yet, there are no visits to these but Afrikaners must be monitored. In conclusion, and most importantly, we urgently need a Marshall Plan on job creation. We are in a poverty and jobs crisis. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and other global initiatives or relations must add to what we are doing rather than be our hope. If the gogga of joblessness is to be slayed, we need this multifaceted Marshall Plan with the President announcing monitored quarterly reports on unemployment levels. Dr Thami Mazwai Image: Social Media
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Trump 'agrees' to participate in G20 Summit, Ramaphosa
In April, Trump claimed South Africa was confiscating land and committing genocide and he would not attend the G20 summit. US President Donald Trump has agreed that the US will participate in G20 events, including the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa. Trump backtracked on his decision not to attend the G20 events after a bilateral meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa in which the two leaders discussed a range of trade and investment issues. Trump's initial stance In April, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, claiming that South Africa was confiscating land and committing genocide. 'How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 meeting when land confiscation and genocide are the primary topics of conversation? 'They are taking the land of white farmers and then killing them and their families. The media refuses to report on this. 'The US has held back all contributions to South Africa. Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don't think so,' Trump said. ALSO READ: US visit came amid 'increasing strain' between two countries, Ramaphosa says Change of mind However, after Ramaphosa serenaded Trump during their much-anticipated recent meeting at the Oval Office in the White House, the US president changed his mind. Writing in his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said one of the key outcomes of the 'substantive discussions' he and his delegation had with Trump was agreeing on an 'economic cooperation channel between the US administration and South Africa to engage further on tariffs and a broad range of trade matters'. '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.' Opportunities Ramaphosa said they 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.' ALSO READ: 'There is doubt in Trump's head about genocide in SA,' Ramaphosa says [VIDEO] Misinformation Earlier, Ramaphosa said his recent visit to the US to meet with Trump came at a time when relations between the two countries were under 'increasing strain', mainly due to disinformation. Ramaphosa said he and his delegation went to Washington to meet with Trump to establish a 'basis for greater economic cooperation and to address some of the challenges' that have recently arisen in relations between the two countries. 'Our visit came at a time when US-SA relations have come under increasing strain, largely as a result of misinformation peddled by fringe groups in our two countries, including a false narrative about a so-called genocide and an orchestrated campaign of violence against white farmers.' Genocide Trump proved to be a political rottweiler for Afrikaners and white farmers and shifted the focus from what began as a cordial discussion with Ramaphosa, veering sharply off course to farm attacks and white genocide in South Africa, ambushing the president. Ramaphosa said in this context, it was critical for Pretoria 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'. ALSO READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Cartoon of the day: 27 May 2025
US president Donald Trump is putting pressure on South Africa Five years after the high-profile death of US man George Floyd at the hands of police brutality, that country's president seems to be using similar bullying techniques on other countries. On 25 May 2020, Floyd was suspected of using a counterfeit banknote when police knelt on his neck and pinned him to the ground. In a video of the incident, the man can be heard saying he can't breathe. An autopsy later found that Floyd died of 'asphyxiation from sustained pressure'. His death sparked a worldwide protest against racism and the re-emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Who is racist? Some commentators have reflected back on the incident when listening to US President Donald Trump's claims of a 'white genocide' in South Africa. 'Noting the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, I'm wondering why Ramaphosa did not bring those receipts into the Oval Office and ask Trump: 'Do Black Lives Matter in the US, or does South Africa need to create its own special refugee programme for African Americans?'' Others have noted the political pressure that Trump has put on the country since taking office, with thousands of South Africans affected by cancelled aid and proposed tariffs. ALSO READ: Is it a deal, Trump? — SA's proposed trade agreement with US after White House visit Under strain SA president Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged this week that his recent visit with Trump came at a time when relations were strained. 'Our visit came at a time when US-SA relations have come under increasing strain, largely as a result of misinformation peddled by fringe groups in our two countries, including a false narrative about a so-called genocide and an orchestrated campaign of violence against white farmers. 'While this was a necessary conversation, the overarching aim of our visit was to deepen our strategic economic partnership with the us as our second-largest trading partner,' Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter. NOW READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Visit to US came amid 'increasing strain' between two countries, Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa said 'false narratives' about a so-called genocide have been peddled by 'fringe' groups in both countries. US President Donald Trump meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 21, 2025 amid tensions over Washington's resettlement of white Afrikaners that the US president claims are the victims of 'genocide'. Photo; AFP President Cyril Ramaphosa says his recent visit to the US to meet with his counterpart, President Donald Trump, came at a time when relations between the two countries were under 'increasing strain', mainly due to disinformation. Ramaphosa made the remarks in his weekly newsletter, From the Desk of the President, on Monday. The president met with Trump last Wednesday. He was joined by four ministers, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Trump proved to be a political rottweiler for Afrikaners and white farmers and shifted the focus from what began as a cordial discussion with Ramaphosa, but veered sharply off course to farm attacks in South Africa, ambushing the president. Trump visit Ramaphosa said he and his delegation went to Washington to meet with Trump in the Oval Office 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. 'Our visit came at a time when US-SA relations have come under increasing strain, largely as a result of misinformation peddled by fringe groups in our two countries, including a false narrative about a so-called genocide and an orchestrated campaign of violence against white farmers.' Ramaphosa said in this context, it was critical for Pretoria 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.' ALSO READ: 'There is doubt in Trump's head about genocide in SA,' Ramaphosa says [VIDEO] 'While this was a necessary conversation, the overarching aim of our visit was to deepen our strategic economic partnership with the us as our second-largest trading partner,' writes Ramaphosa. Issues to be addressed Ramaphosa said the US is a key export market for South African goods, which include motor vehicles, agricultural products and, increasingly, critical minerals. During the bilateral talks which played out before the media, Trump showed videos of EFF leader Julius Malema to support his false belief in genocide against whites in the country, asking why Malema has not been arrested. On Saturday, after delivering the eulogy at the funeral of ANC Women's League deputy president Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe, Ramaphosa was asked by a reporter about Trump's issues. 'I am at a funeral, and we are here to mourn, and I would prefer that I'm allowed to mourn. All these issues will be duly addressed properly.' Despite the unsubstantiated claims made by Trump about genocide in South Africa, Ramaphosa, after meeting, said the talks with Trump were fruitful. 'We were able to have a robust engagement with Trump, and it was also good to have a number of members of the delegation to field either a number of questions or make comments. So, that in my view, it was really good.' On Sunday, while addressing EFF supporters during a rally in Ward 16, Koppies, in the Free State, on Africa Day, Malema said he doesn't fear for his life and is not intimidated by the US or its president, Donald Trump. ALSO READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office
