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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
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Why Cyril Ramaphosa failed in the US
US President Donald Trump proved to be a political rottweiler of Afrikaners and white farmers falsely claiming genocide in SA. There was a moment when Cyril Ramaphosa might have conjured a victory. All it would have taken was a smidgeon of humanity and a teaspoonful of courage. Sadly, even so low a bar was too much for a president who invariably fails to rise to the occasion. The opportunity occurred during what the media melodramatically describes as Donald Trump's 'ambush' of the SA team. By definition, ambushes are unexpected. But you'd have to be remarkably complacent not to have anticipated this particular ambush. After all, Trump had for months made fanciful claims of white genocide. He had then granted refugee status to 59 Afrikaners. What exactly was then unexpected about being sat down to watch a montage of news clips showing black South African political leaders, mainly Julius Malema but also Jacob Zuma, threatening to exterminate whites? Ramaphosa was pole-axed. He sat squirming uncomfortably, eyes mostly averted, only sneaking momentary glances at the public relations disaster unfolding. The body language was not good: he repeatedly mopped his face; his mouth alternated between an unfortunate smirk and an embarrassed rictus. ALSO READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office Was it trepidation? Maybe Ramaphosa was waiting for the footage of him, as ANC party president, claiming at a 2017 rally, 'the land must be returned without any payment or compensation'. He could, of course, have escaped quite easily. The leap to safety would be for him at the end of the video to firmly address Trump with something resoundingly statesmanlike. Something along the lines of 'I agree with you Mister President that these are terrible threats but they are unfortunately protected Monday 10 26 May 2025 by the constitution. However, I and my ANC colleagues reject such divisive sentiments and will henceforth vigorously enforce the hate speech prohibitions that exist in our law.' Instead, Ramaphosa sat slack-jawed and dull-eyed. The best he could eventually manage was the limp-wristed response that the violence promised on the videos was 'not government policy', and that whites were not being 'disproportionately' killed. It beggars belief that the SA team didn't anticipate this political theatre. Surely, by now, the Trump modus operandi is obvious? Trump takes a real issue. He then exaggerates it and portrays himself as the caped avenger who'll pull down the wrath of God on the perpetrators unless the matter is resolved. So, when Ramaphosa said he thought that the visit had gone 'very well', he may be right. After enduring the ritual humiliation, SA may well end up with a workmanlike compromise. Such a deal could conceivably involve Ramaphosa taking the kind of leaderly actions to reassure minorities, as well as easing race quotas in employment and softening our anti-US posture. Possibly the US would in return encourage the investment and grant the tariff breaks we need. Any agreement remotely along those lines would be a no-brainer that we should grab with both hands. But the problem is that even if Ramaphosa wanted to, it is by no means clear that he could sell even such a mild deal to his party. So there are at least two possible reasons why Ramaphosa failed to seize the opportunity provided by his Oval Office debut to be a statesman rather than a petty politician. One is because he is not the great conciliator that he portrays himself to be. Alternatively, it's because he knew that his party would nail him to one of those white crosses had he dared. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa says Trump meeting a success despite ambush [VIDEO]
The Citizen
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
WATCH: Malema not ‘intimidated' by Trump's call for his arrest
Malema said he would never stop singing a song that Winnie Mandela sang and it would be a betrayal to the struggle of 'our people'. EFF leader Julius Malema addressing community members of Ward 16 in Koppies ahead of their bi-elections which will take place on the 28th of May 2025. Picture: X/@EFFSouthAfrica EFF leader Julius Malema said he doesn't fear for his life after US president Donald Trump called his arrest. Malema was addressing EFF supporters during a rally Ward 16, Koppies in the Free State on Africa Day on Sunday. The EFF leader engaged with community members ahead of by elections in the area which is expected commence on the 28th of May. 'Kill Malema' Malema said he would never be intimidated by Trump. 'Well, I'm not fearful. As a revolutionary, part of being killed is one of those honours you must wear with pride, but I'm not going to be reckless. When he says to Ramaphosa, why is this man not in jail, why are you not arresting this man? He simply means, why are you not killing this man, because this man wants to kill white people. That's what he believes. 'Imperialism, especially the USA, it makes such remarks meaning something different,' Malema said. WATCH Malema speaking about Donald Trump calling for his arrest ♦️Must Watch♦️ The EFF President and Commander in Chief @Julius_S_Malema engaging with member of the media at Ward 16, Koppies in Free State. The President strongly criticised President Ramaphosa and his delegation for their failure to defend the Constitution—particularly the… — Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 25, 2025 ALSO READ: 'There is doubt in Trump's head about genocide in SA,' Ramaphosa says [VIDEO] Malema said he would never be intimidated by America. 'I will never be intimidated by Donald Trump, Malema said. That nonsense that Trump did in America, he will never do that nonsense in my presence because I will confront him here and there, with the facts'! Ramaphosa ambush During the bilateral talks between Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, which played out before the media, the US president showed videos of Malema chanting 'Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer' to support his false belief in genocide against whites in the country, asking why the red berets leader has not been arrested. Trump, proved to be a political rottweiler for Afrikaners and white farmers shifting the focus from what began as a cordial discussion with Ramaphosa but veered sharply off course to farm attacks in South Africa. ALSO READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office 'Kill the Boer' Malema said Ramaphosa could not present the facts in front Trump. 'I will never stop singing a song that Winnie Mandela sang. That would be a betrayal to the struggle of our people'. Malema criticised Ramaphosa and his delegation for their failure to defend The constitution of South Africa, particularly the right to freedom of speech in the context of the 'Kill the Boer'. On Saturday, after delivering the eulogy at the funeral of ANC Women's League deputy president Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe, Ramaphosa said the issues raised by Trump at the Oval Office in Washington would be addressed in due course. ALSO READ: Malatsi summoned to Parliament to explain Starlink policy directive 'EFF will never unite with Zuma' Earlier, Malema vowed the red berets with never unite with former president Jacob Zuma's MK party also elaborating that he doesn't fear for his life after US president Donald Trump called his arrest. Malema said the EFF will 'never unite with Zuma who wants to kill the EFF'. 'We'll never unite with MK that exist to destroy the EFF. We are not friends with the enemies of the EFF whether Trump says the same thing about the two of us, we don't care. We must never be tempted to unite with the agents who want to destroy the EFF'. 'If Zuma wants the unity of black people, why did he form MK when there was EFF, because you are already dividing people. You must join the existing organisation that pursues the same agenda which is the EFF. There is no unity they are talking about, they are pretentious about it. Zuma is about himself and about his family, that's why he went to form that spaza shop', Malema said. 'Double agents' In November last year, Malema claimed the red berets had been infiltrated by double agents, with former founding members being turned and captured ahead of the national elective conference in December. The EFF leader's embattled party has been hit with a leadership exodus, with big names, including Floyd Shivambu, Mzwanele Manyi, Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Dali Mpofu, crossing over to former president Zuma's MK party.
