South African-born tech billionaire, Elon Musk, is expected to attend Wednesday’s crucial meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US leader, Donald Trump.
Joining them will be celebrated golfing icons Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as South African billionaire Johann Rupert.
According to reports, Rupert, who has been intricately involved in bringing this meeting to fruition, said Els also played a significant role in persuading Trump to welcome the South African delegation.
The meeting, expected to last for two hours, is being touted as crucial for South Africa’s future, not only in terms of economic ties but also in the context of a potentially contentious discussion surrounding the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) legislation.
Musk, who has been outspoken against these laws, voiced his concerns once again just a day prior to the meeting, framing them as impediments to South Africa’s economic progress.
This week, the Tesla and Starlink CEO claimed at the Qatar Economic Forum that he was not allowed to launch Starlink in South Africa because of racial laws.
Musk said questions should be raised around South Africa’s “racist laws”. This, Musk said, was the problem.
According to a New York Times report, Trump plans to urge Ramaphosa to reconsider the BEE framework, which the US government perceives as a threat to South Africa’s economic stability.
According to reports from an anonymous White House official, Trump is also expected to address issues of discrimination faced by Afrikaners, highlighting the controversial “Kill the Boer!” chant by Julius Malema as a point of concern. This aspect of the conversation adds layer of complexity to a meeting already rich with economic implications.
The South African delegation is ready to present a suite of trade incentives aimed at fostering closer ties with the United States, with an emphasis on providing access to South Africa’s abundant mineral resources, which are seen as pivotal to both economies. The outcome of this meeting could be instrumental in determining the trajectory of US-South Africa trade relations moving forward.
With both sides preparing to navigate a range of sensitive topics, observers around the globe will be watching closely as this landmark meeting unfolds, anticipating that it may mark a turning point in international relations between South Africa and one of its most significant trade partners.
