ANC Fires Back at US Threats "Bring on Sanctions, We Won't Back Down"

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.

The African National Congress (ANC) is standing firm in the face of threats from the United States government. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has dared the US to impose sanctions on the party's leadership, saying it will not beg "imperialists" to subvert the country's democracy.

"We will never back imperialists to subvert our democracy, our sovereignty," Mbalula said in a press briefing. "If they want to bring sanctions on us, let them bring them. This country, South Africa, and all its citizens, know that it's a democratic country, it's a liberated country, and we are still transforming this country in order to achieve equity."

The US has imposed a 30% tariff on South African exports, which is set to take effect immediately. Mbalula believes this move is a result of the DA's "political mischief" in the US, where they have been speaking out against the government's transformation policies.

The ANC's transformation agenda is centered around correcting racial imbalances created by apartheid. Policies such as black economic empowerment and the Expropriation Act are meant to promote equity and redress past injustices.

The US administration has slammed these policies as discriminatory against whites, but Pretoria argues they are necessary for transformation. "We will still pursue redress; we are not equal in this economy," Mbalula said. "This economy is still male white dominated, and you want to tell us to abandon policies that seek to advance transformation."

As the US imposes tariffs on South African exports, the country will need to adapt quickly to mitigate the effects. President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to be prepared for the impact of the tariffs. The ANC will continue to pursue its transformation agenda, despite threats from the US.

The party has also resolved to engage its tripartite alliance partner, the SACP, to reverse its decision to contest elections. Mbalula said the SACP's decision had far-reaching consequences for the national democratic revolution.

The ANC's stance on transformation and resistance to external pressure echoes the sentiments of Tom Petty's iconic song "I Won't Back Down." Released in 1989, the song became an anthem for standing up against adversity and refusing to yield to external pressures. Petty wrote the song after his house was burned down by an arsonist, and it reflects his determination to stand firm in the face of challenges.

Like Petty, the ANC is resolute in its determination to pursue its transformation agenda, despite threats from the US. The party's leadership is unwavering in its commitment to promoting equity and redressing past injustices, and it will not be swayed by external pressures. As Mbalula said, "We will never back down."