In Cape Town, South Africa (AP) — President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa delivered a poignant message in his annual address to the nation on Thursday, seemingly in response to recent threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Without directly naming Trump, Ramaphosa boldly stated that his country would not succumb to intimidation or coercion. The President’s remarks were widely interpreted as a firm rebuttal to Trump’s declaration of cutting off all financial support to South Africa due to the implementation of a new land expropriation law.
“We are witnessing a rise in nationalism and protectionism, a shift towards self-centered agendas, and a decline in collective purpose,” asserted Ramaphosa during his speech at Parliament in Cape Town. “As a developing economy, this is the global landscape we must navigate. However, we shall not be intimidated. We stand as a resilient nation, united in defense of our national interests, sovereignty, and constitutional democracy.”
The resolute statement elicited applause and cheers from members of Parliament and attendees at South Africa’s equivalent of the State of the Union address. Throughout the week, Ramaphosa and his administration have been actively refuting allegations against their nation’s reputation and legal framework following Trump’s social media post calling out South Africa for allegedly mistreating certain groups and confiscating land.
Trump’s comments appear to reference South Africa’s recent legislation allowing the government to acquire land from private individuals. Ramaphosa and his government have clarified that this law is primarily targeted at unused land or parcels that can be redistributed for public benefit, emphasizing existing legal safeguards against arbitrary land seizures. They categorically denied any instances of land confiscation.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson denounced Trump’s allegations, along with criticisms from Elon Musk, the billionaire advisor born in South Africa who has been vocal about his disapproval of the current government’s policies, particularly regarding land ownership. Musk’s contentions and Trump’s ill-informed statements swiftly followed the U.S. President’s decision to halt most global aid for ninety days, jeopardizing vital funding for South Africa’s extensive HIV/AIDS program, the largest worldwide.
Expressing concern over the aid freeze, Ramaphosa assured that South Africa was exploring strategies to sustain crucial HIV/AIDS services. While acknowledging these pressing matters, the President primarily focused his 90-minute address on domestic affairs, revealing plans to invest $50 billion over the next three years in enhancing the country’s infrastructure. The ambitious initiative aims to revamp roads, bridges, dams, seaports, and airports, ultimately bolstering the nation’s economic prospects, as articulated by Ramaphosa.
