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IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
What did the Trump-Ramaphosa meeting tell us about the image of SA and its leaders?
A video is played as US President Donald Trump meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington last Wednesday. The meeting was amid tensions over Washington's resettlement of white Afrikaners that the US president claims are the victims of "genocide." Trump criticised EFF leader Julius Malema and the "Kill the Boer" chant, citing it as evidence of targeted violence against white Afrikaner farmers. Image: Jim WATSON / AFP THE much-anticipated meeting between our President Cyril Ramaphosa and his counterpart in the United States, President Donald Trump, lived up to expectations, with the latter turning up the heat on his guests. By the admission of our delegation, South Africa is a very dangerous place because of rampant crime and lawlessness. While the jury is still out as to whether Ramaphosa succeeded in his attempts to reset the strained bilateral relations, what is clear is that the meeting gave the international community the impression that South African leaders are failing in their constitutional duty to protect citizens and govern the country. The result is that our pride as a beacon of hope in Africa is now hurt. The South African government came across as inept and lacking the political will to deal decisively with the scourge of violent crime, mass unemployment, and racial intolerance, to name a few crises. 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 ✕ Ad loading We are not yet privy to what was discussed behind closed doors and the deals that were made. What will be remembered about the meeting is Trump's wild and unsubstantiated claims of genocide suffered by Afrikaners and his display of brute power over Ramaphosa in front of the cameras. One could easily tell that Ramaphosa, like Ukraine's Zelensky went to the White House with a begging bowl. Unlike Zelensky, though, Ramaphosa went out of his way to massage the errant Trump's ego and thus came across as submissive; suffice it to say that some people would argue that he was being diplomatic. However, the big takeaway and the elephant in the room has got to be the painful admission from the South African delegation of the government's helplessness in the fight against rampant crime. This helplessness was in full display in 2021 during the looting spree after former President Zuma was arrested. To date, not even a single mastermind behind the 2021 riots has been successfully prosecuted. Similarly, those fingered by the Zondo Commission of Inquiry have not been prosecuted, suggesting that there's no political will to deal decisively with corruption and wrongdoing. This raises the question: what does this tell us about the image of South Africa and its leaders? The image of South Africa that Trump portrayed and that the delegation conceded to was of a lawless country whose government cannot protect its citizens from violent crime. In recent years, more and more South Africans are living in fear of political assassinations, hijackings, extortionists, burglars, armed robbers, kidnappers, and taxi violence. What exacerbates South Africa's problems are its porous borders and corrupt officials managing the borders. Lawlessness and the lack of political will to combat crime in South Africa are attracting criminals across the continent and from abroad to come and operate in the country with impunity. Crime in South Africa permeates every aspect of life, and it undermines good governance, efficient economic management, public safety, social order, and compliance with the law. The result is that South Africa is increasingly becoming an unattractive destination for foreign direct investment and international tourists. No wonder our domestic economy is struggling to grow and create much-needed jobs. What this means is that the problems of high unemployment and poverty are not going away soon, and crime is likely to continue. While Trump might not have succeeded in proving the genocide case, he appeared to succeed in making the South African delegation concede that crime, across the board, is out of control and the government is failing in its constitutional duty to protect its citizens. South Africa's businessman, Johann Rupert, was at pains explaining to Trump that 'crime affects everyone' and that South Africa needs America's 'help to stop this awful killing….' Interestingly, Rupert made the point that South Africa needs to fix its wobbly economy to end what he labels the culture of 'dependency and lawlessness.' The portrayal of South Africa as a country that cannot fix its problems does not bode well for its aspirations as a regional leader in Africa. South Africa styles and markets itself as a 'bridge' and a getaway into the African continent. Its membership of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and the G20 makes South Africa see itself as a spokesperson for and leader of Africa. This begs the question: Is South Africa fit and fully equipped to be a regional leader if its government cannot provide domestic leadership? The idea that economic problems, such as high unemployment among the youth and poverty, are to blame for intolerable levels of crime is not convincing. There are many poorer countries in Africa without high levels of crime. The difference is that there are consequences for breaking the law in many African states. In countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, there is a political will to hold lawbreakers accountable. Ramaphosa's cute move to dispel the notion of genocide: In an attempt to debunk and send a message that there is no genocide of Afrikaners, Ramaphosa 's entourage comprised prominent Afrikaners such as golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen as well as businessman Johann Rupert and John Steenhuizen, a member of Ramaphosa's GNU Cabinet. Even the presence of prominent Afrikaners appeared not to be enough evidence to convince Trump that the South African government is not discriminating against whites, in general, and Afrikaners, in particular. It should be remembered that the GNU has passed three laws that white political parties vehemently opposed, that is, the BELA bill, the NHI bill, and the Expropriation bill. In this context, Trump came to the meeting wanting to put pressure on Ramaphosa to do more to accommodate the interests of the white population. This could explain why Trump saw the multi-racial composition of South Africa's delegation to the US as superficial and condescending. The Malema factor: In making his case of a genocide in South Africa, Trump played a video of the EFF's Julius Malema chanting 'Kill the Boer, Kill the farmer' and even former president Zuma singing about shooting Afrikaners. Trump then baselessly claimed that 'they take the land. They kill the farmer. And nothing happens to them.' There is no doubt that these slogans and songs about killing Afrikaners do constitute hate speech and incite violence, even though the courts have found otherwise. It was quite embarrassing to see our prominent leaders utter such venomous words at a time when South Africans should be forging racial tolerance and unity. Without realising it, Trump gave Malema the attention he craves and the status of a leader who stands up to the 'imperialist' West. Malema might have looked bad in the eyes of the Western audience for shouting hateful slogans, but among his sympathizers, he is now the real deal, who is feared by Western leaders. The slogan, 'Kill the Boer, Kill the farmer,' has a long history in South Africa, and it is associated with the ANC during the anti-apartheid struggle. How embarrassing it could have been for Ramaphosa had he been seen next to Zuma singing a song about shooting Afrikaners, since the video Trump played showed Zuma wearing an ANC golf shirt while still the president of the ANC. So what message does it send to the world when prominent leaders in South Africa, including its then state president Zuma, sing about shooting and killing members of a minority group? The governing ANC has never denounced this awful slogan. This is the same ANC government that accused Israel of genocide but tolerates leaders who advocate for the killing of a racial minority. I guess this is the hypocrisy Trump sought to expose. No wonder no meaningful racial reconciliation has happened in South Africa. Can one then blame those Afrikaners who recently emigrated to the US? Zakhele Collison Ndlovu Image: File Zakhele Collison Ndlovu is a political analyst at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
South African government firm on Israel case, despite Trump meeting
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is waiting for Israel to file its court papers to challenge South Africa's case against them Image: UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek The South African government has confirmed that it will not back down on its International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel, despite concern from some senior ANC officials that President Cyril Ramaphosa was considering withdrawing the case after a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The case, which accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, has generated significant international interest and support and has been thrust back into the spotlight after concerns were raised by ANC senior members that Ramaphosa was considering doin a U-turn on government's stance on Israel. Ramaphosa, with his delegation last week visited Washington to meet with Trump after the US President made fake allegations that a genocide was being carried out against white Afrikaner farmers. Ramaphosa said that the ICJ matter was not discuss in the bilateral meeting but some National Executive Committee (NEC) officials of the ANC remain concerned that Trump may have twisted Ramaphosa's arm on the matter, especially in relation to trade between the two countries. US secretary State Marco Rubio has stated Trump will be more open to restoring ties with South Africa if South Africa reconsidered its stance on Israel. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on Monday said that the government's position on the matter remains unchanged. "The position of the government and that of the president remains the same on the matter. It cannot be withdrawn and withdrawing is not even an option," Magwenya said in reference to the ICJ case. Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Chrispin Phiri echoed Magwenya's response, stating that the matter is before the court and the court has set a deadline for Israel to file its response. An ANC NEC member said they were concerned about the pressure being exerted on the country, especially its views on international conflict and diplomacy. "There is concern among us that behind closed doors, the president might have conceded to Trump in order to fix relations. Comrades are not happy with the matter because it would mean we would be throwing Palestine and its people to the wolves," one NEC source said. Another NEC member said although there was concern that Ramaphosa might fold, he would not make that decision on his own. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi-Bhengu-Motsiri did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. South Africa filed its Memorial to the ICJ in October, applying for the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip. The filing contains evidence of Israel's alleged violations of the genocide convention, including promoting the destruction of Palestinians living in Gaza, physically killing them, depriving them of humanitarian assistance, and ignoring provisional measures of the ICJ. The case has garnered significant international support, with several nations filing Article 62 and 63 interventions to join the case. South Africa's Memorial is a comprehensive presentation of the evidence of genocide in Gaza, and the government has expressed gratitude to the other nations that have supported its case. The court is currently awaiting Israel's court papers to challenge the case. Political analyst Dr Metji Makgoba said that South Africa's decision to take Israel to the ICJ is driven by human rights and solidarity with the Palestinian people. "South Africa has taken Israel to the International Criminal Court based on principled and political reasons. They were showing solidarity with the Palestinian people, but the decision is principled and is driven by human rights," Makgoba said. He added that some Western imperialists were not happy with South Africa's decision to take Israel to the ICJ, however South Africa's withdrawal would show that it is being controlled by the US. 'If they value their political independence, whether on the African continent or globally, they should stick with the decision. 'Now that South Africa sees that the decision has serious repercussions and consequences they may be tempted to withdraw from the ICC. But that would be a very unfortunate decision because it would show that South Africa is not independent,' Mokgoba said. Another analyst, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, suggested that Ramaphosa might be tempted to withdraw the case due to pressure from Western powers. "Behind closed doors, there were issues that were discussed so that South Africa backs example, they had to amend newly issued policy directives aimed at easing Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements for licensing satellite services, including Elon Musk's Starlink," Breakfast said. [email protected]
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Floyd Shivambu uses Africa Day message to take aim at Ramaphosa following White House meeting
MK Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu has sharply criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's conduct during a US visit. Image: Siphiwe Emacous Moyo/Independent Newspapers uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling his recent visit to the United States with President Donald Trump an 'embarrassment'. Shivambu further accused Ramaphosa of 'begging' for help combating crime in South Africa. Speaking during Africa Day celebrations in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, on Sunday, Shivambu lambasted Ramaphosa for what he described as a display of 'colonial mannerisms' during the bilateral meeting. 'We are here to beg you; you must come and fight crime for us. We are even offering our rare minerals,' said Shivambu. 'You could see him, 'No boss, we are tiny. (referring to Ramaphosa) We appreciate you. We are nothing without you.'' Ramaphosa's visit to Washington comes amid strained relations between South Africa and the United States, which worsened during Trump's second term. Tensions flared over US criticism of South Africa's land reform policy, with Trump accusing the country of seizing land from white Afrikaner farmers, a claim the South African government has repeatedly denied. Relations further deteriorated after the US government cut HIV and AIDS funding to South Africa and recently granted refugee status to 49 white South Africans, citing racial discrimination, another claim the South African government rejects. Ramaphosa was accompanied by several high-profile figures, including 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 and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen. Business leaders and athletes such as professional golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as billionaire Johann Rupert, also joined the delegation. 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 ✕ Shivambu slammed the inclusion of Els in the discussions, saying that he 'thanked America for helping fight in Angola in the 1980s,' referring to the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. He further argued the battle was a turning point in South Africa's liberation struggle and credited Cuban and Soviet forces with pressuring the apartheid regime into negotiations. 'The apartheid government was assisted by the United States of America,' Shivambu said. 'But in that room, our delegation says, 'Thank you for fighting against freedom.' Ramaphosa says nothing.' He accused the African National Congress (ANC) of betraying its liberation legacy and acting as a 'stooge' of neocolonial and apartheid interests. 'President Zuma (MK Party leader) was correct,' he said. 'Ramaphosa is nothing but a puppet of neocolonial and apartheid forces. The ANC is captured.' Shivambu said that MK Party is the only remaining 'dependable vehicle' for black South Africans to reclaim full freedom. 'It doesn't matter what age I am,' he added. 'Let's constitute ourselves as Umkhonto weSizwe to fight for our total freedom.' IOL Politics
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Mcebisi Jonas's absence from Ramaphosa-Trump meeting sparks controversy
Special envoy Mcebisi Jonas was not be part of the South African delegation that met US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Image: FILE The Presidency has a statement on the absence of the Special Envoy to the United States Mcebisi Jonas from the meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump, saying that Jonas had volunteered not to attend. This despite reports indicating that Jonas had not been granted a visa by the US and was in London when the crucial meeting took place. Magwenya confirmed that Jonas holds a valid visa for travel to the United States but had decided not to attend after being part of the preparatory process prior to the meeting. "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,' Magwenya said. He said Jonas contributed to preparatory engagements before the meeting, including consultations abroad, but his absence from Washington was at his own request. 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 ✕ However, it emerged that the Trump administration had raised concerns about Jonas's inclusion in the delegation, due to his previous comments about Trump. In 2020, Jonas referred to Trump as "a racist, homophobic and a narcissistic right-winger," which resurfaced after his appointment as Special Envoy to the US. Magwenya indicated that the president may have to consider alternative envoys if the issues surrounding Jonas are not resolved. Jonas' appointment came amid tensions between SA and the US, particularly in light of a recent US funding freeze due to false accusations that the SA government is readying itself to illegally grab land and were involved in a white Afrikaner genocide. Magwenya, said part of the reason Jonas was not in Washington was because the Trump administration raised some "displeasure" about Jonas. Sources close to Ramaphosa and the ANC said that prior to the departure of Ramaphosa's delegation, there had been disagreements on whether to take Jonas, especially if this would displease Trump. 'The majority of the president's counsel wanted Jonas to go, but others said that he would just be an obstacle for the delegation when they arrived,' a source said. The controversy surrounding Jonas' absence has put pressure on Ramaphosa to choose an ambassador preferable to the Trump administration. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has begun the process of finding a replacement for expelled Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, who was declared "persona non grata" by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Several names have been touted as potential candidates to replace Rasool, including former Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel. Also considered are senior Afrikaans political figures like former defense minister Roelf Meyer, former tourism minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, deputy justice minister Andries Nel and Ramaphosa's counsel in parliament Gerdhadus Koornhof. Political analyst Sandile Swana said Ramaphosa was not under pressure to choose any other envoy because he had met with Trump with ministers and created an opportunity for detailed conversations to take place at a ministerial level. 'An envoy is not an ambassador…So once the reset has been done, then an ambassador can kick in and run the operation in accordance with what would have been agreed on in these discussions,' Swana said.
eNCA
22-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
David vs Goliath?
AFP | Jim WATSON JOHANNESBURG - David took on Goliath at the White House, in what was, for South Africans, a highly anticipated showdown of biblical proportions. President Cyril Ramaphosa was the proverbial David and President Donald Trump, Goliath. Famously, Goliath is a large figure that was always expected to wipe the floor with the much smaller David, a lowly shepherd, only to be taken out by a careful and sophisticated use of the sling and a single stone. Is this what we witnessed in the Trump-Ramaphosa meeting on Wednesday? Looking back, there is quite a lot that came out of that meeting. We have now come to expect an ambush from the US President, and we're sadly starting to become desensitised to this type of behaviour. AFP | Jim WATSON However, there are a few questions that stand out, mainly about the delegation that was present in the briefing, put together by President Ramaphosa himself. Pro-golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, industrialist Johan Rupert, are among the recognisable civilian names in support of the politicians accompanying Ramaphosa. GNU partners, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, were also joined by COSATU President Zingiswa Losi. Is this group the sling and stone that Ramaphosa needed? The SA-US relationship has been strained for some time now, with Trump claiming the South African government is doing very bad things to white Afrikaner farmers, including unsubstantiated claims of 'genocide'. GCIS On his return to the White House, Trump has cut HIV/AIDS funding, offered Afrikaners refugee status, and even threatened to slap some of South Africa's politicians with sanctions. Wednesday's high stakes meeting was a culmination of these tensions, and the stage was set out in something akin to a battleground. The Oval office was rife with the tension you might experience in a war setting, that had many a South African on the edge of their seats. Was Ramaphosa our David? Was the delegation the tools he needed or merely tools given to him? Could he wield the tools he had for a better future? GCIS GCIS One must commend the South African President for calm composure, and resilience under what must have been a nerve wrecking and tumultuous occasion. Ramaphosa is not just a president, but he is the president of a nation of majority black Africans, who just 31 years ago (and not 35 years) fought and gained their freedom, against the same group now readily accepting prancing around leveraging whatever agenda Trump has through his baseless and unfounded claims. 'Mandela taught us' was a line that rolled off Ramaphosa's tongue, and he managed to make it clear to Trump that South Africa strongly believes in its global moral position and will not back away from issues of moral infractions in the global community. South Africa is, on these matters, an authoritative voice, and South Africa is here to stay. From there, things seem to go quite sideways, and where we hoped to see David wield his sling and stone, we instead had a cinematic experience of a South Africa that seemed quite alien to its citizens. This, we now know was amateurish creativity designed to amplify the Trump genocidal tune and have the world dance at his feet, much like the jovial and uniquely South Africa dancing of Malema's chant of the historically (and constitutionally) justified struggle song. Rather than vehemently defend the right to our history and the sovereign liberty of our courts to decide whether such matters constitute hate speech or any other such bad things as Trump seems to parrot, Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen proceeded to unscrupulously detach themselves from Malema. The EFF leader has in his own right contributed tremendously to the South African political arena, however one chooses to judge that contribution. So, it is right to draw inspiration from Mandela, but not from the struggle movement that gave us the very same Mandela, and still fuels and drives many of our vehicles of self-expression and self-determination? Perhaps this is because we are a violent nation, and the wisdom of Mandela is necessary to tame and guide us away from our own violent tendencies. Is this what South Africans, the US and the world must understand from the utterances of COSATU president Zingiswa Losi. Without taking away from her attempt to fabricate unity among the members of the delegation, that display of diplomacy is in poor contrast to the defamation of South Africa's public image, calling the country a violent nation. To say we understand her sentiments in attempting to clearly indicate that the issue, is not about some hallucinated genocide, but rather an issue of crime – an infamous byproduct of inequality, unemployment, and poverty; this would be far too much leniency than she has given South Africa's government. GCIS GCIS But let's not throw the baby out with the bath water just yet. South Africa is now perfectly poised to fight crime on a scale hitherto unseen. Elon Musk shall save us and equip all our police structures with Starlink, and then there will be no more genocides or gang wars. Johann Rupert was only missing some tattered clothing and a bowl, in what was reminiscent of Oliver Twist's famous plea for more soup. It is yet unclear, however, how a satellite internet network is going to help us fight crime any more than conventional internet networks. Maybe this satellite internet network is going to give us premium access to such AI tools as Grok that can tell us exactly how the white farmers are being killed en masse, and perhaps even generate some documentaries for us that capture the perpetrators, and we shall be free to arrest at will, those even in contravention of our own constitutional edicts. 'When you have nothing to say, say nothing.' This is not a directive for one to continue to utter sounds and syllables against all evidence to the contrary, but perhaps all those hours in the open air of the golf course and one learns to speak the language of the trees and the grass, whispering a purer and higher form of nothing. AFP | Jim WATSON No one is saying that Afrikaners and white farmers should not have a voice and express what they feel is genuinely a concern for their social group. However, they are not unique in their fears about the criminal element in South Africa. All South Africans share various fears about their livelihood and position in the country. But it is hypocritical of them to not place the matter into the pertinent context. We are a young nation, still battling to find ourselves with the truly atrocious and violent war crimes by the Afrikaner minority of the National Party, still fresh in our collective minds. We are not, however, a violent nation. We are a recovering nation. The delegation failed, dismally, to leave this point unambiguously clear to the global community in what was a fantastically unique opportunity. Sadly, the sling came apart, the stone – a mere lump of sand – crumbled, and this David could not be the shepherd we really needed. By: Smangaliso Mkhuma
