Pictures: Elmond Jiyane, GCIS Respected academic, Prof John Molepo has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to directly call President Donald Trump on the phone, following Trump's "unfortunate" remarks on South Africa.
Image: Elmond Jiyane, GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has been urged to avoid a social media exchange but urgently pursue diplomatic channels and engage United States President Donald Trump.
This comes after Trump, in a Fox News interview shared online, was asked if he was planning to cut aid to different African nations.
Trump responded: “No. It’s only South Africa, terrible things are happening in South Africa, the leadership is doing some terrible things, horrible things... so that's under investigation right now, we're making determinations and until such time as we find out what South Africa is doing.
“They are taking away land, they are confiscating land and actually they are doing things that are perhaps far worse than that".
Professor John Ntshaupe Molepo told IOL that a public spat with Trump would not be wise.
Image: Supplied
On his Truth Social app, Trump also wrote that "South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY …”
“I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!" Trump wrote.
In an interview with IOL on Monday morning, Associate Professor at the Tshwane University of Technology, John Molepo said Ramaphosa would be wise to avoid responding to Trump on social media platforms but pursue diplomatic engagements.
“South Africans will tell you that whatever Trump is saying, it is untrue. It is not what is happening, what we see on a daily basis in South Africa. As much as the question of land is still a hot topic in South Africa, and Expropriation Act recently passed by President Ramaphosa, this remains a very complex matter.
“Trump’s public utterances are rather unfortunate and I think it is high time South Africa pursues diplomatic engagements with him. Considering how powerful the United States is, probably this is a way to push South Africa out of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa forum).
“President Ramaphosa must give President Trump a courtesy call so that he can understand why he (Trump) is doing this. Maybe Trump is misled. I think his whole motivation could be about South Africa’s strong alignment to BRICS,” Molepo added.
International media reports suggest that the United States obligated nearly $440 million in assistance to South Africa in 2023.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently said he was looking forward to cordial working relations with US President Donald Trump.
Image: Graphic by Mallory Munien GCIS, Reuters
IOL reported in January that in a significant development for land reform in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially signed the Expropriation Bill into law.
The landmark legislation was signed to address longstanding issues of land inequality and provide a framework for the expropriation of land without compensation.
Ramaphosa has recently said he was not worried about the country's relationship with Trump. He said he had spoken to Trump after the latter's election victory and looked forward to working with his administration.
Last month, IOL reported that Ramaphosa, who was in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual gathering has expressed optimism over increased cooperation between South Africa and the US which is now under the leadership of Trump again.
"President Trump is a great deal-maker, and so am I, so we will be able to work together," Ramaphosa spoke to South African and international journalists in the freezing-cold Switzerland outdoors.
President Cyril Ramaphosa gestures in the freezing cold weather, next to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola in Davos, Switzerland.
Image: Screengrab/eNCA/X
The return of Trump has been a major talking point across the globe, with the US’ 47th president wasting no time signing a series of executive orders on immigration, the economy and energy.
Journalists asked Ramaphosa, who was flanked by officials including Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, if he was concerned over Trump’s return to the White House, and SA-US relations.
“No, I am not worried about our relations. I spoke to him soon after he was elected, congratulated him and we both said we are looking forward to continue to dealings and engagements,” said Ramaphosa.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL
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