By Johnathan Paoli
The Solidarity Movement plans on engaging the US and South African governments on its concerns on various transformative laws, in the Expropriation Act.
The chairperson of the Solidarity Movement, which includes the Solidarity union and AfriForum, Flip Buys, emphasised that it remained important for South Africa to maintain good relations with the US in light of the more than $400 million funded projects throughout the country.
This follows Trump threatening to cut funds to South Africa over the new land law.
“The Solidarity Movement will ask the Trump administration to exercise pressure on the African National Congress’ policies, but not to punish ordinary South Africans through measure causing greater unemployment or harming the vulnerable. We do not like the ANC, but we love the country,” Buys said on Monday.
He said the American president was aware of President Cyril Ramaphosa signing the Expropriation Act, and this, combined with the South African government’s continued international legal battle against Israel, were probably the catalysts leading to Trump’s interventions.
Buys said that Trump was encouraged to take a stand on what he referred to as “minority rights”, citing examples of “racial discrimination against minorities”, “farm attacks” and the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA).
Buys maintained that the movement has been in contact with various US politicians to ensure the country’s relations did not run aground.
He highlighted the need for an increase in foreign pressure on the ANC in light of the alleged constitutional settlement violation and undue dominance of the Government of National Unity.
He said that the US had a major responsibility to uphold property rights, mother tongue education and “abolition of racial discrimination” as outlined in the negotiated settlements of the 1990s.
Buys announced the movement’s plans of diplomatic actions, including discussions with local diplomats and visits to the White House.
“We will have discussions on issues such as expropriation, education, healthcare, race laws and AGOA. The outcome we are looking for is pressure to effect a change of policy, but not financial type of sanctions against the country… The result will be greater poverty and a breeding ground for more radical policy,” he said.
In South Africa, Buys confirmed that the movement would continue to exert pressure locally, including continuing legal action against other legislation such as the National Health Insurance Act, BELA and other forms of “racial dispensation”.
He said the movement would also have discussions with the ANC on what he termed as “reckless international policy”, which he claimed could have devastating consequences for ordinary South Africans.
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