By Amy Musgrave
President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded what the Presidency has described as successful working visit to the United States, despite US President Donald Trump being adamant in his false claims that there is white genocide in South Africa.
Clearing up misconceptions on how the visit came about, the Presidency reiterated on Thursday night that it was at the invitation of Trump.
It was aimed resetting and revitalising bilateral relations between South Africa and the US. It focused on addressing issues that have been a source of diplomatic tensions over recent months and reframing bilateral economic and trade relations.
It said both leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral trade ties, increase investments for mutual benefit and forge collaboration in technological exchanges.
“President Ramaphosa welcomed the expected commencement of trade talks between South Africa and the United States through their respective trade negotiations teams,” the Presidency said in a statement.
“President Ramaphosa looks forward to an outcome that will deliver enhanced trade and ensure shared prosperity for both nations.”
Wednesday night’s meeting left many South Africans in shock, with opposition parties saying that the trip was a complete waste of time.
Trump insisted that conditions were deteriorating for white South Africans, spotlighting Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema in a surprise video presentation.
Originally framed as an opportunity to “reset” trade and diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Oval Office encounter took a confrontational turn, as Trump raised longstanding and widely debunked claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa, alleging that Afrikaner farmers were being systematically targeted in violent attacks.
“We have many people who feel they are being persecuted. I must tell you, Mr President, we have had a tremendous number of people [white farmers] who are fleeing South Africa, and it’s a very sad thing to see,” Trump said.
Calling for the lights to be dimmed, Trump directed attention to a screen beside Ramaphosa and played a curated montage of footage, including clips of Malema chanting “kill the Boer, kill the farmer”.
Ramaphosa pushed back on Trump’s assertion that white farmers were uniquely targeted.
“There is crime in our country, and the people who get killed are not only white people. We are willing to talk to you about that,” Ramaphosa said.
He emphasised that Malema did not represent government policy.
Later in the day, Ramaphosa told reporters that further meetings with Trump were a “great success”, and that they helped dispel misinformation.
While South Africans are still waiting to see what the trade pact looks like, discussions reportedly included the country’s critical minerals and buying liquified natural gas from the US.
Ramaphosa’s delegation comprised International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks tau and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.
The president was also supported by business and labour leaders. They included founder of Richemont and chairman of Remgro, Johan Rupert, Discovery CEO and Business Unity SA vice president Adrian Gore, and Congress of SA Trade Union president Zingiswa Losi. Golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen were part of the delegation.
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