Magwenya
By Thobeka Makume
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says President Cyril Ramaphosa and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, will discuss a myriad of issues when they meet on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, at the White House. The high-stakes meeting aims to reset the strained relationship between Pretoria and Washington, focusing on trade, geopolitical collaboration, and addressing false claims of “white genocide” in South Africa.
A Historic Visit to Mend Ties
President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, 19 May 2025, after an 18-hour flight from South Africa, landing at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. His motorcade, accompanied by a strong South African media contingent, pulled up at a Washington hotel, where he was greeted warmly by reporters. “Welcome back to DC, Mr President,” one journalist called out, to which Ramaphosa responded with a wave and a smile, signaling his readiness for the critical engagement.
The visit, scheduled from 19 to 22 May 2025, comes amid heightened tensions between South Africa and the United States. Key issues include the US granting refugee status to 49 white Afrikaners, allegations of racial persecution tied to South Africa’s Expropriation Act, and differences over foreign policy, notably South Africa’s stance on Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Magwenya emphasized that the meeting is an opportunity to “reset the strategic relationship” and refocus on mutually beneficial trade and diplomatic ties.
Trade and AGOA: A Central Focus
A primary objective of the meeting is to strengthen trade relations, with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) at the forefront. The US is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at over $20 billion annually, including $1 billion in South African agricultural exports. However, President Trump’s administration has hinted at possibly scrapping AGOA, which grants duty-free access to the US market for eligible African countries.
Magwenya outlined South Africa’s strategy: “We will still like to see AGOA extended and see South Africa’s continued participation in AGOA. However, if the Trump administration has decided to do away with the trade scheme, we will then be ready to table an outline of what will be a new trade relationship framework.” Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau, who accompanies Ramaphosa, is expected to lead these discussions, proposing a trade package that benefits both nations.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni reinforced this optimism, stating at a post-Cabinet briefing: “There will be a deal. We will offer a package; we will negotiate a package, and that package must be beneficial to South Africa.” She added that South Africa would not be bullied, reflecting Ramaphosa’s commitment to robust yet respectful negotiations.
Addressing False Genocide Claims
The meeting will also tackle Trump’s controversial claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa, amplified by his advisor, Pretoria-born billionaire Elon Musk. In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order granting refugee status to white Afrikaners, citing alleged racial persecution linked to the Expropriation Act, signed into law in January 2025. On 11 May 2025, 49 Afrikaners, including families and children, arrived in the US on a chartered flight from OR Tambo International Airport, welcomed by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at Dulles Airport.
Ramaphosa has firmly rejected these claims. Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan on 12 May 2025, he told Trump: “What you’ve been told by those people who are opposed to transformation back home in South Africa is not true.” He emphasized that the 49 Afrikaners “are not refugees,” as they face no political or economic persecution. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola supported this, noting that crime in South Africa, including farm murders (49 in 2023, less than 1% of 27,000 annual homicides), affects all races and is not targeted at Afrikaners.
Magwenya echoed this stance, stating: “The whole world knows there’s no such thing as a persecution of any particular race in South Africa. So we don’t need to spend any effort dispelling something that is well-known that is not there.” Instead, the delegation will focus on opportunities to enhance bilateral ties, addressing concerns constructively.
The Expropriation Act Controversy
The Expropriation Act, designed to address historical land inequalities from apartheid, has been a flashpoint. It allows the state to seize property without compensation in rare cases, subject to judicial oversight, to redistribute land. White South Africans, who make up 7.3% of the population, own 73% of farmland, while Black South Africans (81%) hold minimal land. No seizures have occurred yet, and Ramaphosa has called it a “constitutionally mandated legal process.”
Critics like AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel argue the Act targets Afrikaners, accusing the ANC of discriminatory policies. However, Lamola compared it to US eminent domain laws, dismissing claims of “land grabs” as propaganda. Dr Theo de Jager, Chair of the Southern African Agri Initiative, clarified: “There is no widespread grabbing of farmland at the moment in South Africa, but it can happen.” He noted isolated cases, like a disputed expropriation in Heidelberg, are being fought in court.
Geopolitical Tensions and the G20 Summit
The meeting will also address South Africa’s role as the 2025 G20 presidency and Trump’s reluctance to attend the November G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa. Trump has tied his attendance to South Africa addressing his “genocide” claims, stating at a White House press conference: “I don’t know how we can go unless that situation is taken care of.” His cabinet, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has boycotted G20 meetings, citing “bad things” in South Africa.
Magwenya dismissed reports of a US National Security Council ban on G20 engagement, saying: “We’ve not received any formal communication as far as that is concerned. We’ve seen media reports citing unnamed sources.” He confirmed the US has participated in G20 activities and that Trump’s invitation to the summit remains open. The G20 handover to the US, set to chair in 2026, adds urgency to resolving these tensions.
A Strong Delegation for a Unified Message
Ramaphosa is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, reflecting the visit’s diplomatic and economic weight. Key members include:
- Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, focusing on trade and AGOA.
- John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture and Democratic Alliance leader, prioritizing agricultural exports and job creation. Steenhuisen emphasized: “Losing these benefits would be disastrous for farmers, farm workers, and the economy at large.”
- Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, arriving from bilaterals in France and the Netherlands to brief Ramaphosa on global issues.
- Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister in the Presidency, reinforcing South Africa’s firm stance against being strong-armed.
The delegation represents the Government of National Unity (GNU), showcasing a united front. Steenhuisen highlighted the GNU’s role: “There is a renewed hope in South Africans, thanks to the formation of the GNU, and we dare not fail them on our mission to increase economic growth and job opportunities.”
South African Reactions: Unity Amid Controversy
The Afrikaner refugee issue has sparked widespread debate. The ANC, through Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, rejected the US decision, stating: “There are no Afrikaner refugees in South Africa. These claims are a fabrication and a cowardly political construct designed to delegitimize our democracy.” Deputy President Paul Mashatile invited Trump to visit South Africa to see its unity, saying: “We are beautiful, happy people, black and white, working and living together.”
Cosatu’s Matthew Parks criticized the 49 Afrikaners, calling them economic migrants, not refugees, and urged them to represent South Africa well. The EFF’s Poppy Mailola called for their citizenship to be revoked, while the UDM’s Nqabayomzi Kwankwa labeled them as suffering from “apartheid nostalgia.” Most Afrikaner communities, including Solidarity, have rejected Trump’s offer, with de Jager noting only a small fraction of applicants are farmers.
Internationally, US expert Johanna Leblanc noted the absence of UN or human rights reports supporting “genocide” claims, calling for continued diplomatic discussions. The Episcopal Church’s refusal to resettle the Afrikaners, citing racial justice, further highlighted global skepticism about Trump’s narrative.
Ramaphosa’s Approach: Diplomacy and Optimism
Ramaphosa is approaching the meeting with confidence, not apprehension. Magwenya dismissed comparisons to Trump’s tense encounter with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating: “President Ramaphosa is not President Zelenskyy. He’s got his own style of engaging.” Ntshavheni echoed this, expecting “a high level of decorum” from Trump, who invited Ramaphosa.
The Presidency has ruled out a meeting with Elon Musk or an appearance on pro-Trump media like Tucker Carlson’s show, focusing on the White House talks. Ramaphosa will also join South Africa’s Budget 3.0 speech virtually, as it coincides with his US visit, demonstrating his commitment to domestic priorities.
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