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Political analysts suggest that President Cyril Ramaphosa deliberately left out Afrikaner nationalist leaders from his US visit with President Donald Trump to maintain unity within the GNU and ensure the delegation remains focused on its main objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n Professor Theo Neethling, of the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the University of the Free State, told News that including an Afrikaner leader, such as Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) leader Pieter Groenewald, who is part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), could create division within the delegation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell, if the president were to include an Afrikaner leader, Pieter Groenewald is the only logical choice, as he is part of the GNU,\u201d said Neethling.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “But if he were to include someone else instead, it would seem unusual. Still, bringing Groenewald along could easily cause disunity, and President Ramaphosa clearly wants to avoid that at all costs\u2026 So, I think he\u2019s playing it safe in that regard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The FF Plus is known as a right-wing political party that mainly advocates Afrikaner interests and promotes Afrikaner nationalism.<\/span><\/p>\n Neethling was responding to criticism over the composition of Ramaphosa\u2019s US delegation, which includes International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.<\/span><\/p>\n The South African government has confirmed that Ramaphosa\u2019s visit will focus on strengthening bilateral ties, countering misinformation about the alleged persecution of white Afrikaners, and boosting trade and economic relations.<\/span><\/p>\n A key issue on the agenda is the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US trade program that allows duty-free exports from eligible African countries, which is up for review later this year.<\/span><\/p>\n The meeting comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions, particularly after 49 Afrikaners recently received refugee status in the US, citing racial persecution in South Africa, a claim the South African government strongly denies.<\/span><\/p>\n Neethling said that AGOA is a priority in the talks and that Steenhuisen\u2019s inclusion in the delegation is strategic.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSteenhuisen was selected not only to demonstrate inclusivity from within the GNU but also because he is the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. <\/span><\/p>\n Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in discussions about AGOA, alongside the automotive industry,\u201d he told News.<\/span><\/p>\n He added that Steenhuisen is expected to help negotiate a continuation, or alternative to AGOA, which is essential for South Africa\u2019s economic stability.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere is an urgent need for economic growth, and extending AGOA or finding a replacement is vital,\u201d said Neethling. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI believe the composition of the delegation is quite logical given the current priorities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Earlier, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Steenhuisen said his top priority during the government\u2019s visit to the US this week will be growing the economy and expanding employment opportunities, particularly in the agricultural sector.<\/span><\/p>\n At the anticipated meeting, Neethling said the stakes are high, and the South African president is likely to face a tough audience.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cManaging perceptions within the Trump administration is vital. Rational explanations alone may not shift entrenched views, so a more targeted engagement strategy is needed,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Neethling warned that the meeting could turn hostile.<\/span><\/p>\n “Some believe Ramaphosa could be walking into a political ambush, similar to the one Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faced recently. But others argue Ramaphosa is an experienced diplomat who will remain calm and not be thrown off by any provocation,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, independent political analyst Goodenough Mashego agreed with the decision to exclude a prominent white Afrikaner from the delegation, saying the president must prioritise members of the executive team.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere may be others traveling with the president, such as businesspeople from the South African Chamber of Business, but I don\u2019t think someone like Kallie Kriel (CEO of Lobby group AfriForum), who is not under Ramaphosa\u2019s command, should be part of the delegation,\u201d Mashego said.<\/span><\/p>\n He emphasised that the delegation\u2019s makeup reflects the president\u2019s goals for the US visit.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe inclusion of John Steenhuisen and Parks Tau signals a focus on AGOA,\u201d Mashego said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGiven that most of South Africa\u2019s exports under AGOA are agricultural, it makes sense to have Steenhuisen, who can provide detailed insights into agricultural output. Him being white may also be deliberate, as white South Africans benefit significantly from AGOA through export-related industries.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Mashego said that Tau, as mister of Trade Industry, will be essential in addressing tariffs imposed by the US, some of which have reached up to 30%.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTau will be able to speak directly about reducing those tariffs. Lamola\u2019s inclusion speaks to diplomatic issues, especially following the recall of ambassador Ibrahim Rasool. Discussions around what kind of ambassador the US expects from South Africa will happen at his level,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Mashego added that Ntshavheni\u2019s presence aligns with her state security portfolio, as intelligence plays a crucial role in foreign diplomacy.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe delegation makes sense when you look at the challenges South Africa is facing and the issues it hopes to resolve,\u201d Mashego said.<\/span><\/p>\n Reports state that Ramaphosa has arrived in the US, where he is expected to meet with Trump and his administration at the White House in Washington DC.<\/span><\/p>\n simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n Politics<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Political analysts suggest that President Cyril Ramaphosa deliberately left out Afrikaner nationalist leaders from his US visit with President Donald Trump to maintain unity within the GNU and ensure the delegation remains focused on its main objectives. Professor Theo Neethling, of the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the University of the Free State, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[17624,12646,1410,1447,426,11190,1362,10223],"class_list":["post-240714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-politics","tag-afrikaners","tag-analysts","tag-explain","tag-left","tag-ramaphosa","tag-strategy","tag-talks","tag-trump"],"yoast_head":"\n