While businessman Johann Rupert has been praised for his comments shutting down misinformation, golfer Ernie Els has been dragged by South Africans over his “lukewarm” address to US President Donald Trump.
Together with fellow golfer Retief Goosen, the trio accompanied SA President Cyril Ramaphosa and his diplomatic entourage to the White House on Wednesday, 21 May.
During the tense meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa, the topic of “white genocide” and Afrikaner farm murders quickly became a focal point.
Another burning topic was the recent Expropriation Act, which Trump believes is “confiscating land” from white South Africans.
While Johann Rupert outright denied claims of racially targeted murder of white people,Ernie Els attempted to stay neutral in his comments.
He said: “We are proud South Africans…but we want to see things get better in our home country.
“It’s been 35 years since the transition [from Apartheid to democracy]. 35 Years since the ANC government, and I know that there is a lot of anger through the transition. There was a lot of things happening in Apartheid…but two wrongs don’t make a right.
He continued: “What I’m trying to say is that this has been a long time coming. That is why we wanted to come see you…We need the US to push this thing through.
“It’s important to have your support and get the change we need”.
On the X app, Ernie Els was criticised for not backing President Ramaphosa or taking action to dispel mistruths about South Africa.
@Lloydbhudda:“White people like Ernie Els are the worst type of South African. He’s got zero pride or patriotism; he’s standing in the white house lying about South Africa. He should be ashamed”.
@Am_Blujay: “Ernie is against his own country despite being included in the delegation to spread a good word.”
@KMalatji: “Ernie Els is a traitor. Lowkey”
@MTshwete: “Ernie Els was the worst….he said ‘two wrongs don’t make a right’. He basically calls Apartheid a new South Africa equivalency”
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While Ernie Els shied away from mentioning topics like farm murders or “white genocide” before Trump, he has been outspoken about it on social media.
In 2017, the world-famous golfer posted on his X account [formerly Twitter]: “The world needs to take notice of the ongoing farm attacks going on in South Africa! People are being murdered every day!”
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