In a national address on Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa fired back at criticism from senior U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump. The president made it clear that South Africa would not succumb to external pressure.
“We are witnessing the rise of nationalism and protectionism globally,” Ramaphosa said. “As a developing economy, we must navigate this turbulent world, but we are not daunted.”
Ramaphosa’s remarks came after Trump accused South Africa of “confiscating” land under the country’s new expropriation act. The law, signed into effect last month, allows the government to seize land with “nil compensation” in certain cases. However, the South African government has rejected Trump’s accusation, calling it “misinformation.”
Land ownership remains a highly sensitive issue in South Africa, with the majority of farmland still owned by white people decades after apartheid ended. The government is under mounting pressure to address these imbalances.
Elon Musk, a South Africa-born advisor to Trump, also criticized Pretoria’s policies, claiming they foster “openly racist ownership laws.” Musk’s comments were amplified after delays in licensing his Starlink satellite service, allegedly due to regulations mandating companies to offer 30 percent equity to historically disadvantaged groups.
The U.S. criticism continued with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement that he would skip the upcoming G20 talks in South Africa, accusing the government of pursuing an “anti-American” agenda.
Ramaphosa also addressed concerns over the suspension of U.S. aid, which funds 17 percent of South Africa’s AIDS and HIV treatment programs. He reassured the nation that the government is exploring alternative solutions to ensure continuity in vital health services.
