Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has weighed in with some insights into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s position amid the controversy surrounding US President Donald Trump’s Executive Order against South Africa.
This comes after Trump placed restrictions on financial aid to the country and announced that the US would be working on a plan to welcome Afrikaners into the country as refugees in reaction to allegations of a racially charged genocide in South Africa.
Ramaphosa hopeful for engagement with Trump
Speaking to the SABC News, Magwenya explained that Ramaphosa looks forward to engaging with Trump to shed light on the Expropriation Act.
Interestingly, Magwenya insinuated that Ramaphosa would use the engagement as an opportunity to understand the “actual issue”.
“We believe that they know there are no land seizures in South Africa, and they know the truth. We are hoping that, at some point soon, we can have that engagement, and the real issues will be placed on the table.” Magwenya explained.
Magwenya highlighted that “lies” have been peddled to the US government, something the Presidency has refuted “time and again”.
Ramaphosa snubs AfriForum, Solidarity requests to meet
In response to AfriForum and Solidarity calling for engagements with Ramaphosa, Magwenya made the Presidency’s position on this abundantly clear.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson pointed out that AfriForum had engaged in international talks in which they “peddled lies about South Africa”, something he insists they did “deliberately’. Magwenya condemned AfriForum for misrepresenting SA and its laws.
“Prior to that talk, they didn’t seek an audience with the president, and it’s not clear as to exactly why they seek an audience with the president now, but I can tell you now, categorically, the president will not meet with them,” Magwenya clarified.
Presidency defends meeting with Elon Musk
In addition to rejecting meeting with AfriForum and Solidarity, the spokesperson defended Ramaphosa’s controversial meeting with Elon Musk.
“The president is the head of state, and the president will always do whatever it takes to protect and promote the interests of this country. Elon owns the X platform, Elon has been part of peddling lies about our country, Elon is quite influential. As we all know, in the Trump administration, he part of the inner circle. Therefore, the president will not have an issue to engage with Elon,” Magwenya said
The spokesperson revealed that prior engagements between Ramaphosa and Musk had been aimed at encouraging Musk to invest in South Africa.
Do you feel that Ramaphosa made the right decision rejecting meeting with AfriForum and Solidarity?
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