President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his working visit to the United States, returning to South Africa following what the Presidency described as “productive” diplomatic engagements, despite an unexpectedly charged meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The Presidency announced that Ramaphosa and his delegation would be flying home after their trip to Washington had concluded.
On Wednesday, Ramaphosa and Trump held a high-level meeting at the White House, initially intended to focus on diplomatic ties and economic engagement. However, the discussion quickly escalated into a heated confrontation with the South African delegation
During a striking Oval Office meeting, Trump urged Ramaphosa to take action to protect White Afrikaner farmers from violent attacks.
Trump reiterated widely discredited claims that these farmers were victims of a targeted genocide, even showcasing video footage of crosses and earthen mounds, which he asserted marked over 1,000 graves of murdered individuals. However, the mounds were part of a protest symbolising opposition to violence, not actual grave sites.
Notably, Trump failed to acknowledge South Africa’s complex and painful history, including decades of violent, racially discriminatory white rule under apartheid.
It fell to others in the room to contextualise the broader epidemic of violence in South Africa, which affects all communities.
Despite the attack, Ramaphosa remained calm but maintained that there were no land grabs, violence or genocide against a particular race, especially the white people.
The South African delegation also clarified that that was misinformation because no such thing was happening in the country.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa emphasised that it was important for the US to be part of the South African G20 in November this year.
“The US has introduced the G20 and it would be an honour for them to be there. Fortunately, we will be handing over the G20 presidency to them,” he said.
Politics
