Ramaphosa Stands Firm Against U.S. Criticism
CAPE TOWN:President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that South Africa will not succumb to external pressure, responding to criticism from U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump.
In a national address on Thursday, Ramaphosa emphasized the growing global trends of nationalism, protectionism, and self-interest, stating that these challenges require South Africa to navigate a difficult international landscape. However, he reassured citizens that the country remains steadfast.
“As South Africans, we are a resilient people, and we will not be intimidated,” Ramaphosa affirmed.
The remarks come after Trump accused the South African government of “confiscating” land under an expropriation law passed last month. The South African administration dismissed these claims as “misinformation.”
Trump, who has been advised by South Africa-born entrepreneur Elon Musk, also alleged that the country discriminates against certain groups and warned of potential cuts to U.S. funding.
The recently enacted law allows the government, under specific conditions, to offer “nil compensation” for property acquired for public interest. Land reform remains a contentious issue in South Africa, with most farmland still in white ownership decades after apartheid, prompting calls for change.
Following Trump’s statements, Musk took to his social media platform, X, to accuse the South African government of enforcing “openly racist ownership laws.” His criticism comes amid reports that regulatory hurdles have stalled the approval of his Starlink satellite internet service due to local equity requirements.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in, announcing he would skip this month’s G20 summit in South Africa, citing concerns over what he described as Pretoria’s “anti-American” stance.
Addressing these developments, Ramaphosa expressed concern over the U.S. decision to suspend international aid, which funds approximately 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS treatment programs.
“We are exploring various measures to ensure that essential services continue, even if this funding is withheld,” he said.
South Africa has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates globally, with around 5.5 million individuals relying on antiretroviral treatment.
