African National Congress
By Thabo Mosia
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, has strongly condemned what he calls a “misinformation campaign” by AfriForum, accusing the lobby group of distorting facts to undermine South Africa’s land reform efforts. His remarks follow a controversial statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently announced that the United States would cut all future funding to South Africa, citing alleged “land confiscation” and mistreatment of white farmers.
Mbalula described AfriForum’s lobbying efforts in the United States and other nations as an attempt to preserve apartheid-era land ownership patterns and obstruct economic transformation in South Africa. The ANC’s strong response underscores growing tensions over land reform and the broader implications of Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. funding.
ANC Condemns AfriForum’s “Racist Agenda”
In a statement released on Monday, 3 February 2025, Mbalula said:
“The African National Congress (ANC) strongly condemns the misinformation campaign orchestrated by AfriForum, which has now found an amplifier in United States (US) President Donald Trump. President Trump’s recent tweet, echoing AfriForum’s false claims of ‘land confiscation,’ is a direct result of the lobby group’s ongoing efforts to mislead the global community and protect apartheid-era land ownership patterns. AfriForum has long positioned itself as a defender of white minority privilege, using fear-mongering to undermine South Africa’s constitutional and lawful land reform programme. Their campaign is not about justice but about blocking economic transformation and maintaining an oppressive status quo.”The ANC argues that the land reform process is a constitutional mechanism aimed at reversing historical land dispossession caused by colonialism and apartheid. The recently enacted Expropriation Act, which has been a focal point of international controversy, provides a legal framework for land expropriation in specific circumstances while ensuring that property rights remain protected under the South African Constitution.
Mbalula accused AfriForum of deliberately distorting the facts around the Act, stating:
“AfriForum’s lobbying efforts in the US and other countries have deliberately misrepresented South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which is a fair, constitutional mechanism aimed at reversing historical land dispossession. By weaponizing misinformation, they have emboldened some, who have no understanding of South Africa’s democratic processes but are quick to perpetuate racist narratives. It is unacceptable that AfriForum continues to seek external intervention against a sovereign country’s domestic policies — policies that are necessary to address the legacy of land dispossession caused by colonialism and apartheid.”The ANC also expressed concern over the involvement of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose statement further amplified AfriForum’s claims.
Trump Cuts U.S. Funding to South Africa Over Land Reform
President Trump took to social media on Sunday, 2 February 2025, to announce his decision to halt all U.S. funding to South Africa, stating:
“South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY. The United States won’t stand for it, we will act. Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!”The announcement sparked backlash, as the South African government dismissed the claims as baseless. President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed the country’s commitment to land reform while denouncing misinformation about the Expropriation Act.
In an official statement, Ramaphosa responded:
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land. The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the Constitution.
South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.
We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters.
The U.S. remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.”DA and EFF React to Trump’s Statement
South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), also weighed in on the issue. While the DA has historically opposed aspects of the Expropriation Act, DA leader John Steenhuisen clarified that the legislation does not allow arbitrary land seizures, nor does it amend Section 25 of the Constitution to permit “Expropriation Without Compensation.”
Steenhuisen stated:
“It is unfortunate that individuals have sought to portray this Act as an amendment to Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for Expropriation Without Compensation.”However, the DA expressed concern over Trump’s decision to cut U.S. funding, noting that in 2024 alone, South Africa received $453 million (approximately R8.4 billion) in direct funding under the PEPFAR programme, with a projected $439 million (approximately R8.1 billion) allocated for 2025.
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) took a stronger stance, condemning Trump’s threats as an attempt to undermine South Africa’s sovereignty. EFF leader Julius Malema dismissed the U.S. president’s intervention, stating:
“We are going to expropriate land without compensation and pursue legislative measures to do so, and no threat will stop us.”The EFF emphasized that land reform is a necessity for redressing historical injustices and called on South Africans to resist external interference.
International Reactions and Global Impact
Trump’s announcement has sparked diplomatic tensions, with global leaders and analysts weighing in on the controversy. The South African government has indicated that it will engage with the U.S. administration to clarify its land reform policies and maintain economic ties.
Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire and close ally of President Trump, has also commented on the situation. In 2023, Musk criticized Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies in South Africa, calling them discriminatory. His recent posts on social media have added fuel to the debate, with Musk questioning Ramaphosa’s stance on land expropriation.
Meanwhile, international observers have expressed concern over the potential economic fallout of Trump’s decision. The United States remains one of South Africa’s largest trade partners, and the suspension of aid could have ripple effects on key sectors, including healthcare, education, and economic development.
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