TRUMP'S BLATANT MISINFORMATION: RAMAPHOSA HITS BACK

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief of The Azanian

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a scathing rebuke to US President Donald Trump, dismissing his claims of "genocide" against Afrikaners and land confiscation from white people as "blatant misinformation".

In a strongly-worded address to the nation on Sunday, Ramaphosa made it clear that South Africa will not be bullied or intimidated by Trump's baseless allegations. He emphasized that the country is a founding member of the G20 and will remain a "full, active and constructive" participant, despite Trump's threat to exclude it from next year's summit in Miami.

Ramaphosa attributed Trump's stance to a "sustained campaign of disinformation" by groups and individuals in South Africa and the US, which he said is undermining the country's national interests and relations with its key partners. He urged those spreading misinformation to bring their concerns and solutions to the National Dialogue, saying, "We must never allow others to try to redefine our country and cause divisions among us or dictate who we are as a nation".

The South African president reaffirmed the country's commitment to maintaining dialogue with the US government, emphasizing that South Africa remains a "firm and unwavering friend of the American people". However, he made it clear that the country's sovereignty and dignity will not be compromised.

Trump's allegations of "genocide" against Afrikaners have been widely discredited by fact-checkers, human rights organisations, and South African crime statistics. The claims have been seen as part of a broader effort to undermine South Africa's democratic government and push a particular narrative.

Ramaphosa recalled the great solidarity movement in the US that supported South Africa's struggle against apartheid, saying, "We recall the great solidarity movement in the United States that stood by our side in our struggle for democracy and freedom".

He also noted that the US Bill of Rights had inspired South Africa's democratic constitution, saying, "We recall how the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution inspired us as we wrote our democratic constitution".

Ramaphosa expressed concern about the harmful effects of disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining South Africa's international standing. He said, "These people who are spreading disinformation are endangering and undermining South Africa's national interests, destroying South African jobs and weakening our country's relations with one of our most important partners".

He invited those responsible for fuelling division to participate in the National Dialogue process and engage constructively, saying, "We must remind these people that South Africa is a constitutional democracy, with a Bill of Rights that guarantees equality under the law".

Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa's place in the G20 does not depend on an invitation from any single country, saying, "We must make it clear that South Africa is one of the founding members of the G20 and South Africa is therefore a member of the G20 in its own name and right".

He confirmed that South Africa had formally handed over the G20 presidency to the US, observing the appropriate diplomatic protocols, and that the country will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20.

The rift between the US and South Africa comes amid tensions over a range of issues, including South Africa's decision to open a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over the Gaza conflict.

Trump has also imposed a 30% "reciprocal" tariff on South African exports and frozen funding from programmes such as PEPFAR and USAID.

Despite these challenges, Ramaphosa said South Africa remains committed to dialogue with the US government, saying, "We value the United States government and its people as a partner. We have common interests, common values and a shared wish to advance the prosperity and well-being of the people of both our countries".